It's Been an 'All Out War' on Pot Smokers for 35 Years
Paul Armentano

Thirty-five years ago today, a Congressionally mandated commission on US
drug policy did something extraordinary: they told the truth about
marijuana.

On March 22, 1972, the National Commission on Marihuana (sic) and Drug Abuse
chaired by former Pennsylvania Governor Raymond P. Shafer � recommended
Congress amend federal law so that the use and possession of pot would no
longer be a criminal offense.

On today's anniversary of the Shafer Commission's findings, NORML is
encouraging activists to contact their elected officials, reminding them
that the Commissions were right then and are even more applicable now.

For more information, please go here

In addition, never-before-public audiotapes of President Richard Nixon and
Governor Shafer discussing the report, and an exclusive interview with
former Commission member Dr. Thomas Ungerlieder -- are available on the
Wednesday and Thursday editions NORML's Daily AudioStash

Related

Paul's 'All Out War' article on Alternet.Org

Shafer Commission Report - The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding

This commission was directed by Raymond P. Shafer, former Republican governor of Pennsylvania, and had four sitting, elected politicians among its eleven members. The commission also had leading addiction scholars among its members and staff and was appointed by President Nixon in the midst of the drug-war hysteria at that time. While the commission supported much existing policy, it produced two reflective reports, this being the final comprehensive document, which recommended research, experimentation, and humane compromise. The first recommendations of the commission were:

1. Possession of marihuana for personal use would no longer be an offense, but marihuana possessed in public would remain contraband subject to summary seizure and forfeiture.
2. Casual distribution of small amounts of marihuana for no remuneration, or Insignificant remuneration not involving profit, would no longer be an offense.

The recommendations in this reports were endorsed by (among others) the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association, The American Association for Public Health, the National Education Association, and the National Council of Churches.