The possession of, or intent to sell, marijuana is illegal today and has been legislated against since the passing of the Harrison Act in 1914. The Uniform Narcotics Act in 1932 listed it, and many other drugs illegal, although in many states and towns it has been illegal for longer. Before the passing of the Uniform Narcotic Drug act twenty-two states had already enacted anti-cannabis laws in some form. New York City sanitary laws had prohibited marijuana in 1914, and in 1915 Utah became the first state to restrict its possession and sale.
             The Harrison Act was a regulatory measure disguised as a tax act. Permits to distribute and grow marijuana were allowed by the act, but were often denied without reason. In 1932, just prior to the passing of the Uniform Narcotic Drug act, commissioner Harold Anslinger of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics admitted that few states had actually responded to the Harrison Act. The Uniform Narcotics act did not try to make marijuana illegal, but urged states to make prohibitive laws concerning its sale and use.
             During the early 1900's drug addiction and drug related crimes were growing at a rapid pace. This created an awareness and movement to stop the problems that were caused by the drugs. The Uniform Narcotic Drug act was a response to the concerns of the public. The inclusion of marijuana in the prohibited drug lists was caused by many factors.
             Utah was not surprisingly the earliest state to pass a law against marijuana, mostly because of its large Mormon population. The Mormons did not like any pollutant to the body, or intoxicating substance, and outlawed marijuana along with a long list of other drugs. The law was given very little note by either the press or Utah's lawmakers.
             During the time when the earliest laws were passed against marijuana the eastern states mainly viewed it as a problem because the people believed that it would be a substitute for alcohol. During prohib...