We skipped to the conclusion
Read the rest of the article at https://volteface.me/colonialism-hemp-cannabis-industry/
Conclusion
While colonialism has had a varied impact on the reputation of the cannabis trade, there are several themes which have emerged from this expansive history:
The primary influence that colonialism inflicted is the economic exploitation of punitive taxation. In almost all cases where the cannabis trade was permitted, the sole benefit of this trade favoured the occupiers who either used the cultivation of cannabis and hemp to fuel their territorial expansion or to generate revenue through the disproportionate and unsustainable taxation of their citizens.
Cultural suppression is another impact that western colonialism had on the cannabis trade. As can be seen in India or South Africa particularly, the transformation of cannabis from a plant with a rich cultural and religious significance to a drug which became associated with moral delinquency and social ostracisation has left a reputation which continues to inform perceptions about cannabis in many post-colonial societies.
Perhaps the only benefit to come from the dissemination of cannabis during the colonisation era was the reinvigoration of cannabis distribution in countries like Jamaica, where the importation of Indian ganja sparked the Rastafarian religion; propagating the consumption of cannabis to a wider audience who were able to redefine the cultural significance of cannabis to its roots.
While the modern prohibition of cannabis has been tied to efforts to eliminate counter cultural influence, there is an interesting paradox which was exposed during the colonial era. On many occasions, occupiers had to decide between stigmatising cannabis use or profiting from cannabis trade by permitting its continuation. As this article has demonstrated, a hypocritical and irresponsible combination of these options was often exercised which has permanently altered the timeline of cannabis.
