Marijuana Myths

Sorting fact from fiction when discussing marijuana isn't an easy task. No one should expect it to be either, but more people should realize it is just a plant. Watching "Reefer Madness" in its entirety is difficult propaganda to stand today, but coming out of the depression the film scared alot of Americans. The short clip below is a great illustration of the misinformation our government has sponsored beginning in the 1930's.



A Star Tribune article written by Rob Kampia discusses three of the biggest myths surrounding marijuana. It appeared in Saturday's opinion section as a reaction to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoing a medical marijuana bill on Friday. I don't really understand how myth number one has gone overlooked in our country for so long.

Myth No. 1: Marijuana is illegal because it's dangerous. In fact, the first national marijuana ban was passed in 1937 based on a wave of hysterical propaganda and newspaper stories that had nothing to do with marijuana's actual effects. Goaded by Federal Bureau of Narcotics chief Harry Anslinger, newspapers printed wild stories such as the San Francisco Examiner's claim that "Marihuana makes fiends of boys in thirty days -- Hashish goads users to bloodlust."

Kampia is The Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, they produced the short below about why marijuana is illegal.