Today's marijuana conspiracy revolves around a UN convention on drug policy signed by a few member nations of the UN in 1961. Most signing nations tend to claim that they must honor the convention, despite provisions within that allow them to opt out of it. The real reason most countries keep marijuana illegal is due to American pressure rather than honoring a UN convention that is woefully out of date. A possible reason why the U.S. seeks to control international drug policy may have to do with the economic potential cannabis hemp represents. A single nation with the right tools and the land can grow hemp and supply raw material for paper making and textiles, as well as replacements and substitutes for petrochemicals.
Economic sustainability is possible with hemp more so than with trees.
Hemp produces 4.3 times more pulp fiber per hectare. Hemp paper products can be recycled seven times while paper made from wood-pulp can only be recycled three times. Hemp seed protein is very nutritious. Fiberboard made from hemp fiber is more stronger than that made of wood-chips. Thus, a cannabis hemp industry can revitalize any country that starts one up, if the capital is there.