Alioth's Journal: Meanwhile, back in the Stoned Age...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4969360.ece

It's hardly surprising that the use of "herbal refreshments" is as old as society itself. So remind me, why do the authorities criminalize people who are simply doing what members of society has done, ever since society began?

In a word:

[Captain Splendid]

Religion.

Re:

[iminplaya]

Power...Religion(mysticism) is the means to that end.

Re:In a word:

[steeler359]

I seem to recall the main reason cannabis is currently illegal pretty much everywhere is because hemp posed a threat to the US timber industry. Various interests used low-down dirty tactics (including xenophobia towards Mexicans) to get it criminalised, then Harry J. Anslinger took it to the United Nations resulting in a near-international ban. Of a plant.

What a colossal waste of time and money.