Over the years, a hysteria has taken over Marijuana and relegated it to the families of hard and harmful drugs. This is due in no small part to racist sentiments and the single-handed efforts of one Harry Anslinger, lawman, abolitionist and self-proclaimed authority on Cannabis.

Marijuana was supposed to give Blacks super-human strength, all the better to rape and savage white women. The American populace bought into the hysteria wholeheartedly and petitioned Congress to pass legislation that made mere possession penalties akin to armed robbery.

Life penalties were given as sentences to those hapless few who were in possession of minor amounts of an ounce or less.

Fiorelo LaGuardia commissioned a group to study the effects of the drug. Their findings were that the greatest harm presented by Marijuana were the penalties meted out for its possession and use.