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DELAWARE STATE MEDICAL JOURNAL – Jan. 1944 - Editorial [Delaware State Medical Journal Vol. 16 No1 Jan, 1944] Editorial - Marihuana In recent years there have been many newspaper accounts of the great danger threatening America from marihuana, (hemp) addiction. One brutal murder by two young women was said to be the result of their smoking of marihuana. Other lurid accounts have told of the prostitution of school children through selling, them marihuana cigarettes. Now it seems that such tales have had no basis in fact. An editorial in The Military Surgeon entitled "The Marihuana Bugabbo” contains the following statement: “It is the writer’s considered opinion that the smoking of the leaves, flowers, and seeds of Cannabis sativa is no more harmful than the smoking of tobacco, or mullein, or sumac leaves, or any of the other plants that have been used for the purpose. There appears to be the occasional individual who, having smoked this plant, prefers its mild exhilaration to that of tobacco, but they are most exceptional. Ordinarily after the first curiosity is satisfied, tobacco is much preferred. “It is further
considered that the legislation in relation to marihuana was ill-advised, that
it branded as a menace and a crime a matter of trivial importance.
It is understood that this legislation is, furthermore, a serious
detriment to the development of a hemp fibre industry in this country.
Finally it is hoped that no witch hunt
will be instituted in the military services over a problem that does not
exist.” Probably most physicians will be as surprised as the writer that America faces no menace from marihuana. It is a great source of gratification that this is so and that there is no danger of the wrecking of children's lives through a too lively curiosity in the smoking of hemp.---F. C. S.----Editorial, Phila. Med., Jan. 8, 1944. We, too, share the relief expressed in Editor Smith's last paragraph if the editor of the Military Surgeon is right, for within recent memory there was some alarm in Wilmington over the alleged peddling of "reefers" or mary janes,” to the pupils of our senior and junior high schools. However, it is neither wise nor scientific to go all out for a new thesis, unless it be most thoroughly documented. We still retain the fear that some of the many medico-legal cases charged up to marihuana were bona fide. Davidson (Synopsis of Materia Medica. Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2nd Edition, 1942, p. 260) states “It is important to recognize that both the prolonged use by habitues, and the single large dose taken by a novice may cause criminal, maniacal acts. Moreover, even small quantities can destroy the will power and the ability to connect and control thoughts and actions, thus releasing all vicious inhibitions.” So, till the article in the Military Surgeon can find corroboration, it may be well to assume that the final word on this subject has not yet been said. Back to Reefer Madness Page #1 |
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