According to former law enforcement officer, Barry Cooper (an anti-drug-war lecturer), marijuana was made illegal in 1937 because a man testified in front of Congress saying that pot made white women want to have romantic relationships with black men.
Despite the falseness of this testimony, marijuana remained illegal. It was the symbol of the counterculture in the 60s and forever lauded as a “gateway drug” by D.A.R.E. programs across the country. Recently, history was made when Washington and Colorado legalized marijuana.
Over a dozen other states have decriminalized the possession of small amounts. And Massachusetts recently legalized it for medical purposes. Federal law still bans the sale and possession of marijuana, but at least we know it isn’t illegal because of who it makes you date.