DdC

THE TIMES ADVERTISEMENT AND THE WOOTTON REPORT
by Steve Abrams
7 April 1993 revised May 10th draft

In 1967 my organization Soma published a full paged advertisement in The Times which called for reform of the law on cannabis. Sixty-five people were persuaded to sign this document, including leading figures in the arts and sciences and eminent medical men. our proposals for reform stopped short of outright legalization. However, legalization was clearly a long term prospect if they were implemented. The advertisement declared the existing law "immoral in principle and unworkable in practice."

The advertisement was immediately debated in the House of Commons, where the Minister of State, Alice Bacon, announced an expert inquiry headed by Baroness Wootton of Abinger. In January 1969 the so-called "Wootton Report" on Cannabis endorsed the position taken in the advertisement, that "the long asserted dangers of cannabis were exaggerated, and that the related law was socially damaging, if not unworkable."* The Home Secretary of the day, James Callaghan (now Lord Callaghan) put up a smokescreen. He denounced the Report, claiming its authors had been "overinfluenced" by the "lobby" responsible for "that notorious advertisement." However, after waiting for a year, he quietly introduced legislation to implement the recommendations of the Wootton Report. Continued...
<a href="http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/wootton/soma1.htm" target="_blank">HASH ISH FUDGE Soma and the Wootton Report by Steve Abrams</a>

<a href="http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_magazine1.s html" target="_blank">Mari juana: the law vs. 12 million people</a>
Life magazine Oct 31, 1969. 25-35

<a href="http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_magazine1-2.shtml" target="_blank">One way or the other it all goes up in smoke</a>
<a href="http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_magazine1-3.shtml" target="_blank">For the long-distance runner who got caught - a 20-year sentence</a>
<a href="http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_magazine1-4.shtml" target="_blank">A bust at gunpoint and an armed search at sunset</a>
<a href="http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_magazine1-5.shtml" target="_blank">Shou ld it be legalized? Soon we will know.</a>



In New York a group of middle-aged professional people begin an evening with a marijuana "cocktail party." in Detroit some lawyers and executives get together in the small hours for wine-and-pot. In Beverly Hills, at a stately black-tie dinner, the matronly hostess beckons the butler who brings a silver tray with a single after-dinner joint to be passed around.

Marijuana, until recently a conspicuous liturgy of the rebellious young, is spreading into the middle class and fast becoming an institution. An estimated 12 million Americans have now tried it. The consequence is an ironic contradiction reminiscent of the Prohibition era of the 1920s, when ordinary citizens blithely drank bathtub gin while cops pursued the bootleggers. Now as the pot party gets to be fashionable in some circles, authorities are mounting an unprecedented campaign to cut off the supply at the Mexican border, where U.S. Customs agents are bearing down on professional smuggling, with planes, boats and mobile radar units.



A growing body of opinion now recognizes the disproportionate severity of laws that define mere possession of marijuana as a felony and lead to travesties like the case of a 20-year-old college student sentenced to 20 years for possession (p. 30). Last week the Nixon administration reversed its adamant earlier position and recommended reducing the federal penalty for first offenders to a misdemeanor.

As illegal marijuana becomes increasingly "respectable," ultimately the whole question of legalization will have to be faced-although no country in the world officially sanctions it. On page 34 Dr. James Goddard, former director of the Food and Drug Administration, dispels many of the myths that confuse the marijuana debate and renders his verdict on legalization.



THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MARIHUANA AND DRUG ABUSE
<a href="http://shafer.allegheny.edu/public.html" target="_blank">Gove rnor Raymond P.Shafer Homepage</a>
Continued Public Service

President Nixon appointed Ray Shafer Chair of this National Commission in 1971, and its findings were released in several stages. The first report from the fall of 1972 was Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding, issued both as a government report and a mass market Signet New American Library paperback. The second report from March,1973 was Drug Use in America: Problem in Perspective. The findings of the Commission were controversial from the beginning, for they attacked the "hodge-podge" of U.S. drug laws, challenged exaggerated myths about marijuana's dangers , and recommended decriminalization of marijuana use. The Administration virtually ignored the report, and in fact, stepped up the "War on Drugs" at all levels. However, the insights of the Report remain widely acclaimed.

<a href="http://www.hoboes.com/html/Politics/Prohibition/Notes/Signal.html" target="_blank">Mari huana. A Signal of Misunderstanding</a>

Many praised the courage of Ray Shafer in maintaining the Commission's objectivity and neutrality under enormous political pressure, as in the editorial <a href="http://shafer.allegheny.edu/findings.html" target="_blank">Find ings of Fact</a> published in the Meadville Tribune on March 25, 1972. Ray Shafer continued to promote the Commission's report and speak on drug issues for several years after the report's release.

Findings of Fact

Editorial from the Meadville Tribune
March 25, 1972

Whether it be impartial enforcement of laws against bingo games, enactment of a much-needed personal income tax in Pennsylvania, consolidation of school districts of a public finding that the mere possession of marijuana should be decriminalized, former Gov. Raymond P. Shafer never avoids taking unpopular stands on public issues when fulfilling the dictates of his conscience, his honest convictions and his intellect. He has great courage

The report of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse, known as the Shafer Commission because he serves as chairman, will not find favor in many quarters -- with President Nixon, for example, or with the many citizens whose fears and prejudices keep them from even
considering the possibility that the drug is not as dangerous as they have believed. Its findings will be embraced, however, by so-called liberals both young and adult.

The Shafer Commission report seems to be saying, in rather low key, that limited use of marijuana does not appear to be harmful, although not all the needed clinical evidence is yet available. for that reason, unduly harsh punishment for the mere possession of the drug, its use in private, or even the distribution of it in small quantities and without profit should be eased or removed.

But the report also seems to be saying that marijuana is not to be trifled with, the possibility of danger from prolonged and intensive use is not adequately known yet. Therefore, its use should be discouraged, and those who grow it and distribute it for gain should be prosecuted. It must be
concluded that although marijuana is not harmless, its known ill effects have been exaggerated, creating unwarranted fear and apprehension.

The Shafer Commission report, controversial as it undoubtedly will be, goes a long way toward clearing the air about marijuana, toward giving the public authoritative and factual information. It is the product of thorough and painstaking investigation and research, done with an unprejudiced and open mind.

Its yes-and-no conclusions, however, appear to result in some inconsistencies. for example, it proposes that persons giving marijuana to friends or selling it for insignificant amounts would not be guilty of crimes under either federal or state law. It also proposes that state statutes still make it a felony to cultivate, sell or distribute marijuana for profit, or to possess it with intent to sell it. Obviously, no one is going to cultivate marijuana or otherwise acquire it in large amounts without hope of profit. So, at some point a potential user would have to acquire the stuff from someone violating the law, and might have to violate it himself, although his casual use of the drug might not in itself be illegal. the legal user would be encouraging the illegal distributor.

Nevertheless, the report reflects great courage and intellectual openmindedness on the part of former Gov. Shafer and members of the commission. It is to be hoped that the public will give it the unprejudiced and openminded consideration it deserves. It should not be utilized to support or seemingly vindicate preconceived fears, myths or practices at either end of the spectrum. Neither those who use the drug nor those who violently condemn its use have won a clear victory.



<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread12680.shtml" target="_blank">Outs ide View: Nixon Tapes Pot Shocker</a>

The Watergate tapes from the Nixon White House are indeed the gift that keeps on giving. The latest release of these secret recordings covers that period in 1971 when President Richard M. Nixon was preparing to crank up the war on marijuana. In his conversations with Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman and others, Nixon reveals, in his down-home, earthy style, that the whole thing was a fraud.

The president was in a box at this particular moment because a special drug commission that he had appointed was spinning out of control. "The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse" was a creation of Congress, but Nixon had put his stamp on it by appointing a host of hard-liners.

The headman was a former prosecutor, Gov. Ray Shafer of Pennsylvania, whose tough law-and-order reputation meshed with Nixon's vision.

Now there was word on the street that the so-called "Shafer Commission" was considering the legalization of marijuana.

The president had clearly expected Gov. Shafer to return with a damning indictment of the evil weed because he had already made up his mind to use the drug issue as a political ax in the upcoming election.

Unfortunately several of the commissioners were not in on the plan and they took the assignment seriously. They commissioned more than 50 scientific studies, surveyed judges, probation officers, clinicians, and health experts, and they personally went all over the globe for a first-hand look at the situation. It was one of the most comprehensive examinations of marijuana in history.

One can imagine Nixon's surprise when rumors began circulating in early '71 that the "L-word" was on the table. He responded curtly at his next press conference: "Even if the Commission does recommend that it be legalized, I will not follow that recommendation."

This bold admission created a firestorm among the commissioners and several of them threatened to quit -- or worse, to produce a dissenting minority report. Shafer, who was also angling for an appointment to the federal bench, was caught in the middle. He promised the insurrectionists he would meet with the President and try to straighten things out.

He was finally able to get an appointment in early September but it is clear that he knew this meeting was window dressing. Shafer told staffer Egil Krogh, Jr., "I know what the game is."

All Shafer wanted was a picture of himself with the President that he could take back to the Commission. "I'll tell them that we met, the President listened, was appreciative..."

Nixon let him have the picture but he was otherwise unrelenting. While admitting that there were significant differences between marijuana and other drugs, he wanted Shafer to cover up that fact. "I think there's a need to come out with a report that is totally oblivious to some obvious differences between marijuana and other drugs."

Throughout 1971 Nixon kept up the drumbeat. "I want a Goddamn strong statement on marijuana," he told his high-level White House lieutenant Bob Haldeman, "I mean one that just tears the ass out of them." Somehow, it's not surprising to hear the President say, "You know, it's a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish."

On March 21, 1972, the president told Haldeman, "We need -- and I use the word -- 'all out war.'" The next day the Shafer Commission returned its report on marijuana and to the President's chagrin, not only did they refuse to declare war on marijuana, they recommended decriminalization.

Nixon declared his war on drugs anyway. Needless to say, Gov. Shafer did not get his judicial appointment and his voluminous report was swept under the rug.

For those who are curious about what this country might be like today if Richard Nixon had simply followed the advice of his own experts, we happen to have a comparative yardstick.

At the same moment that the Shafer Commission was hearing evidence in the United States, a Dutch commission was doing the same thing in The Netherlands and they came to the same conclusion. Unlike the Americans, they paid attention to their experts
and decriminalized marijuana.

Today, per captia use of marijuana among teenagers in The Netherlands is half that of those in the United States. Meanwhile the people of this country were treated to a 30-year jihad that so far has resulted in the arrest of nearly 15 million citizens.

Mike Gray is chairman of <a href="http://www.csdp.org" target="_blank">Comm on Sense for Drug Policy</a> and is the author "<a href="http://www.drugcrazy.com" target="_blank">Drug Crazy</a>"
Note: UPI Outside View commentary -- From the Washington Politics & Policy Desk

<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12533.shtml" target="_blank">Tric ky Dick's Guide to Drinking and Toking</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12324.shtml" target="_blank">Secr et Nixon Tapes Show Why US Outlawed Pot</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12302.shtml" target="_blank">Just What Was He Smoking?</a>

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n572/a11.html?1979" target="_blank">POT SHRINKS TUMORS; GOVERNMENT KNEW IN '74</a>
( Wednesday, March 28, The United States Supreme Court rules on whether marijuana use for medicinal purposes can be a valid defense on charges of marijuana possession. The following article was listed as one of the top 25 censored stories of the year 2000. We reprint it here and pose the question, why would the government want to keep us from knowing this?)

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread11377.shtml" target="_blank">Phar mos Compounds Demonstrate Neuroprotection</a>
<a href="http://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm" target="_blank">Medi cal Marijuana Information Links</a>

<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11046.shtml" target="_blank">Mari juana Ingredient Helps Head Injuries</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11033.shtml" target="_blank">Comp ound May Reduce Brain Trauma Damage</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10904.shtml" target="_blank">Mari juana: Good for The Brain</a>
<a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?J3A913555" target="_blank">Cann abis Blocks Irreversible Brain Damage</a>
<a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?M2B913555" target="_blank">Cann abis prevents brain damage</a>

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers, which are cited to justify it.
President John F. Kennedy
Address to newspaper publishers April 27, 1961

<a href="http://www.wealth4freedom.c om/Elkhorn6.html" target="_blank">The Elkhorn Manifesto</a>
<a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?X19924555" target="_blank">Can Cannabis the Antibiotic Treat/Prevent Anthrax?</a>
<a href="http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/medical/can-babies.htm" target="_blank">Pren atal Cannabis Exposure and Neonatal Outcomes in Jamaica</a>: An Ethnographic Study

It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it. -- Upton Sinclair, "The Jungle"

<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ca7/ddc/DEAth.html" target="_blank">D.E. A.th Deceptions</a> * <a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?S11B23B45" target="_blank">Ganj a/hemp lnfolinx</a> * <a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y23D21B45" target="_blank">Hemp vs Dioxins</a> * <a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?V1E931555" target="_blank">Ganj a vs Cigarettes</a>

"Enlighten the people generally,
and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day."
....Thomas Jefferson

<a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?F46B61B45" target="_blank">Abou t Ashcroft</a> * <a href="http://www.ccldp.org/about.html" target="_blank">Abou t John Walters</a>

<a href="http://www.jackherer.com/book/ch13.html" target="_blank">PREJ UDICE: MARIJUANA AND JIM CROW LAWS</a>


"They say you can't legislate morality. Well, you certainly can."
John Ashcroft Chicago Tribune May 25, 1998

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread11779.shtml" target="_blank">Aeri al Herbicide War on Drugs Poisons Land, Water</a>
<a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?M23C12B45" target="_blank">Fear in the fields: How hazardous wastes become fertilizer</a> (More Legal Drug Abuse!)
<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread11770.shtml" target="_blank">High Court Upholds Chicago Park-Use Permit</a>
No Free Speech or Right to Assemble

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