Highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month and the Culture’s History With Cannabis

As summer winds down in the United States and autumn ushers in, we look forward to the seasonal shift and celebrate school starts, a kaleidoscope of leaf colors, cooling temperatures, and the onslaught of pumpkin spice flavors.

But another celebration takes place across September and October, one that recognizes the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. Hispanic Heritage Month is acknowledged as summer transitions into fall, highlighting the cultural and historical contributions of Hispanic Americans to US society.

At Ethos Cannabis, we believe in celebrating diversity and acknowledging the rich history that different cultures have contributed to the history of cannabis. Read on to learn more about the history of cannabis in Latin America, from its arrival in the “New World” to how anti-immigration sentiments led to cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs. From there, understand the role cannabis plays in modern Hispanic culture and how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with reverence and pride.

Cannabis and Hispanic Culture

The history of the Earth has subtly featured cannabis as a cultural mainstay for thousands of years, and the plant’s impact on Hispanic culture has been steadily shaped by migration and ritualized use.

The Spread of Cannabis to the Americas

Cannabis isn’t native to the Americas. It’s thought to have originated in Central Asia, with hemp and psychoactive cannabis used for medicinal purposes across ancient China as far back as 2900 BC. It was also cultivated in Japan and ancient Korea, eventually spreading to South Asia.

From there, the use of cannabis for both ritual and industrial purposes spread to ancient Mesopotamia and Africa. It likely made its way to Northern Europe through a group of Iranian Eurasian nomads known as the Scythians. There’s reference of medicinal cannabis use in Roman times (750 BC – 475 AD), with the plant utilized to treat ailments ranging from migraines to earaches.

The era of colonialism and global sea exploration from the 15th to 17th century, also known as the “Age of Discovery,” leaned on hemp as a crucial material for sailing vessels. Sails, rope, and other essential ship parts were made from hemp, as it was a hardy material that stood up to the rough elements that made traveling by sea for several months difficult.

Spanish explorers ultimately brought cannabis to the “New World” in the late 15th century, relying on it to make textiles and rope. Because Native Americans and indigenous groups were accustomed to using plants for a wide variety of purposes (dietary, medicinal, industrial), they began to incorporate cannabis into their culture.

Historic Use and Cultural Significance

Psychoactive cannabis may not have arrived in the Americas until the 1850s, when an era of laborers traveled from India to the Caribbean after Great Britain made slavery illegal. Before that period, hemp crops were used for a variety of purposes, including clothing and textiles, rope, building materials, bedding, livestock feed, and compost.

Cannabis plants took to the favorable climate conditions in North and South America and grew easily. It became a native species in areas like Mexico by the end of the 19th century. In fact, Latin America has produced many well-known landrace strains, such as Acapulco Gold, Panama Red, Colombian Gold, and Punto Rojo. These strains have gone on to birth a variety of hybrids and crosses that can be found on dispensary shelves in legal cannabis markets all over the world.

Salves/topicals became a common folk treatment for muscle pain, inflammation, and wounds in Mexico and parts of Central America. Cannabis was also infused into alcohol, oils, or teas and used as a natural remedy for pain relief, digestive issues, anxiety, insomnia, and other stresses.

While peyote, ayahuasca, and tobacco have stronger indigenous ceremonial roots, cannabis was occasionally featured in ritual healing practices. Some healers (known as “curanderos”) used cannabis in tinctures or as a smoke for limpias, or spiritual cleansings. Cannabis was also sometimes combined with prayer, herbs, or ritual to expel negative spiritual energy.

In Mexican folklore, cannabis was sometimes referred to as la hierba santa, or “the sacred herb,” reflecting its medicinal properties. Cannabis was also linked with syncretic practices in some regions that blended Catholic and indigenous traditions (for example, using cannabis in folk healing alongside prayers to saints).

Cannabis Prohibition in the United States

Mexicans migrated to the United States in the wake of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) in droves, tripling the number of Mexican immigrants in the country. Their rapid immigration coupled with their recreational consumption of cannabis spurred animosity among Americans and lawmakers, which kicked off the beginning of cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs.

Notable events include:

1930: Harry J. Anslinger becomes the commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and focuses his efforts on blaming cannabis for causing crime and violence. He purposely used the term “marijuana” in his messaging to connect negative associations of the plant to Hispanic immigrants.

1937: Congress passes the Marihuana Tax Act, which doesn’t ban cannabis outright but imposes a heavily punitive tax against anyone selling it, as well as possible jail time of up to five years. (The act is later ruled to be unconstitutional in 1969’s Leary v. United States.)

1970: President Richard Nixon passes the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, which establishes the foundation for regulating and criminalizing drugs on a federal level. The act lists five drug schedules or classifications and designated cannabis a Schedule I substance, deeming it unsafe with a “high” potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

1973: President Nixon kicks off the “War on Drugs” era by establishing the Drug Enforcement Administration to enforce federal drug laws and manage drug control efforts.

1984: President Ronald Reagan passes an act that revises the US criminal code and increases federal penalties for the cultivation, possession, or transfer of cannabis, as well as abolishes parole for federal prisoners and introduces of civil asset forfeiture.

The “tough on crime” narrative of the 1970s and 80s disproportionately impacted minority groups, especially Black and Hispanic Americans. A 1991 report to Congress about mandatory minimum penalties in the federal criminal justice system found that when “a mandatory minimum is applicable,” Black and Hispanic offenders received “noticeably more severe sentences than their white counterparts.”

Today, despite the progress made to legalize cannabis and establish regulated markets across the United States, Black, Native American, and Hispanic/Latino Americans are still far more likely to be incarcerated than white people. The national incarceration rate of Black people is six times that of white people. For Hispanics, it’s 2.4 times.

The War on Drugs has not only failed to reduce drug flow into the United States, it’s actually increased social violence and the displacement of people across Latin America. In her book “Drug War Capitalism,” author Dawn Paley argues that the War on Drugs has devastated indigenous people as they are perpetually caught in the crossfire among military, drug cartels, militias, guerrillas, and private security forces.

Cannabis in Hispanic Culture Today

Today, the tide continues to slowly but surely turn towards cannabis legalization. Uruguay became the first country to legalize recreational cannabis in 2013, and recreational use of cannabis is legal in 24 states, Washington, D.C. and three US territories.

Hispanic leaders and advocacy groups have been central in pushing for cannabis legalization and equity programs. Organizations like Latino Cannabis Association (LCA) in New York advocate for Latino-owned businesses and social equity applicants. Activists across the country highlight disproportionate arrests and incarceration of Hispanics/Latinos for cannabis offenses.

Many Hispanic families in agricultural regions (e.g., California’s Central Valley, Oregon) have long histories in farming and cultivation, skills that are now being leveraged in legal cannabis markets. You may also notice Latino-owned cannabis companies that incorporate Spanish language into their branding, lean on Hispanic aesthetics in their design choices, or specialize in growing and cultivating landrace strains.

However, despite the progress made in legalization as a whole, there remain substantial barriers to Hispanic representation in the cannabis industry. Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs are still underrepresented in cannabis business ownership despite making up a significant share of the US population (19% as of 2023). Additionally, licensing fees, regulatory hurdles, and high startup costs disproportionately exclude Latinos, who face wealth gaps compared to white entrepreneurs.

Because Hispanics have been historically over-policed for cannabis use, they may have criminal records that limit entry into legal markets. Fear of immigration consequences for undocumented or mixed-status families may also keep some away from cannabis entrepreneurship.

Hispanic activists and cultivators are vital to shaping a more equitable cannabis industry, but barriers like lack of capital, stigma, and regulatory hurdles persist. Social equity programs that create equity licenses and grants for communities disproportionately affected by prohibition can create more parity in the industry and help level the playing field for Hispanic Americans.

What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month is an observance of the contributions and influence that the Hispanic people brought to our country. Taking place from September 15 to October 15, the celebration began as National Hispanic Heritage Week when President Lyndon Johnson signed the legislation into law in 1968. It was expanded to a month in 1988 and signed into law by President Ronald Regan.

The unusual mid-month start date of Hispanic Heritage Month was due to the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores on September 16, 1810, which sparked the start of the Mexican War of Independence. A number of other countries in the Hispanic community celebrate their independence in mid-September, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15, and Chile on September 18.

What’s the Difference Between Hispanics and Latinos?

“Hispanic” is considered to be a category of people who come from or are descended from Spanish-speaking communities across Spain and the Americas (e.g., Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala—in all, 21 countries list Spanish as their official language).

“Latinos,” on the other hand, is a more broad definition used to describe people with ancestry across Latin America. This typically encompasses people who speak a Latin or Romance-based language and reside in a Latin American country, which would technically include Brazil, Haiti, French Guiana, and the French West Indies.

If you’re tripped up by the distinction, you can generally think of it as “Hispanic” = “language, whereas “Latino” = geography. Remember, not all Latinos speak Spanish!

How is Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated in the US?

During this period across September and October, the US military recognizes Hispanic Americans who have served in the armed forces. The number of Hispanic veterans in the United States has grown by 25% since 2008, with Hispanic or Latino veterans comprising eight percent of the total veteran population.

Many museums and cultural institutions celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with special events and art installations. The Smithsonian, for instance, hosts a number of events, including concerts, festivals, virtual exhibitions, and podcasts. It’s also planning the construction of the National Museum of the American Latino, a facility that “honors the dreams, challenges, and triumphs of US Latinos.”

Your local arts and culture establishments may feature special rotating installations or events highlighting Hispanic artists throughout history. Check your nearby museums and cultural events centers to see if they have any events planned from mid-September to mid-October in support of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic filmmakers and musicians have contributed a rich catalog of movies and music from across the diaspora. You may come across film festivals or special screenings of celebrated Hispanic directors such as Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro, Lucrecia Martel, Alejandro Iñárritu, Aurora Guerrero, and more.

From a music standpoint, Hispanic artists have created music across a wide spectrum of genres, including Latin Pop, salsa, Tejano, Reggaeton, ranchera, and Bachata. Jam out during the month by cranking the tunes of contemporary Hispanic musicians like Bad Bunny, Karol G, Feid, and Peso Pluma, or bust out the greatest hits of legends like Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Shakira, Pitbull, and the countless other legends who crossed over with mainstream success.

Of course, no celebration is complete without food. Hit up your local Mexican, Salvadorean, Colombian, Cuban, or other Hispanic/Latin-owned restaurant and support their business during Hispanic Heritage Month. Tacos, tamales, arepas, empanadas, ceviche, pupusas, mofongo—there’s a delectable wealth of dishes and flavors that make up the Latin American diaspora. Buen provecho, y ¡feliz mes de la herencia hispana!