We’ve already talked about some Heroes of Weed (check that out here) but there can’t be heroes without antagonists. For false narratives to spread there needs to be the propagandists, those who place the roadblocks for the heroes to overcome. Cannabis and hemp have had their fair share of villains. The list is long and highly distinguished, but we are going to narrow it down to three for this article: The man that started the war of weed, the rich people who financed it, and the beloved first lady that propagated their message decades later. So, kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn about some weed stuff.
Harry J Anslinger
Harry J Anslinger was the first and longest running Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Harry used his position to start the war on “marihuana” to help further his racist agenda. For example, marihuana was changed to marijuana in propaganda to make it sound more foreign. He used the war on drugs to target minority and immigrant groups1 and jazz musicians specifically, many of which were also minorities. He even kept a file titled, “Marijuana and Musicians”2. Harry drafted and helped rally support for the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 prohibiting cannabis in the United States for the first time. He painted a picture of cannabis being of the highest public concern with quotes like this, “The primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerated races3.” He held office from 1930-1962 continuing to spread hate and hysteria and would be the primary influence on almost all the villains of weed.
William Randolph Hearst & The Du Pont Family
William Randolph Hearst was a newspaper magnet and one of the richest people of the 1900’s. Hearst’s papers employed the tactic of “yellow journalism” which focused on shock value more than reporting actual news4. Though not proven, many believe Hearst to have had a large stake in the timber industry and worried hemp would replace wood as pulp for paper. William Randolph Hearst wasn’t the only rich aristocrat with something to gain by a hemp prohibition. Enter the Du Pont family, currently one of the richest families in the world. Du Pont started development on a new synthetic fiber known as nylon in 19275. The rising popularity of hemp as a quick growing easy to harvest textile posed an issue for Du Pont just like it had for Hearst. Together they solved their problems the way most rich people who want to flex their power solve problems. They threw money at it by helping to finance Anslinger’s crazy propaganda campaign that left cannabis prohibited for recreational use until 2012.
Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan is one of the most beloved first ladies of modern times. Always smiling and wearing a red dress, she became an institution in our country. Nancy seems like a nice lady, but she falls on this list due to toeing the party line. Nancy was First Lady of California from 1967-1975. During this time, California Senator Richard Nixon, soon to be President Richard Nixon, started his war on counterculture6 in the state targeting hippies, and as per usual in the crusade against cannabis, minorities. As Nixon rose to presidency, the Reagan’s continued the counterculture battle with Nancy particularly invested in demonizing marijuana. When Ronald Reagan became president, Nancy became First Lady of the United States, and her mission was to continue the war on drugs. Nancy coined the phrase, “Just Say No” which would become one of the most recognizable anti-drug campaigns ever7. The campaign ignored the medicinal effects of marijuana. It spawned the program D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Program) which taught children that cannabis was just as dangerous as cocaine and heroin. During her time as first lady, a new wave of propaganda was spread that would have made Anslinger blush. Cannabis consumers were painted as the dreads of society, dumb, lazy, and unemployable. Those stereotypes are still battled by canna-consumers today.
A Final Note on The Villains of Weed
These are just a few of the villains of weed. They were some of the most powerful people in the country if not the world, and yet, we are finally starting to get out of the shadows of their propaganda. One thing is undeniable, if the love of a plant can overcome obstacles put in place by dominant foes, with hard work and dedication, almost anything is possible.