"Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man."

Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse

Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding

Commissioned by President Richard M. Nixon, March, 1972


Table of Contents

The Report

Letter of Transmittal

Introduction

I. Marihuana and the Problem of Marihuana

II. Marihuana Use and Its Effects

III. Social Impact of Marihuana Use

IV. Social Response to Marihuana Use

  • The Initial Social Response
  • The Change
  • The Current Response
    • The Criminal Justice System
      • Law Enforcement Behavior
      • Law Enforcement Opinion
    • The Non Legal Institutions
      • The Family
      • The Schools
      • The Churches
      • The Medical Community
      • Summary
  • The Public Response

V. Marihuana and Social Policy

  • Drugs in a Free Society
    • Drugs and Social Responsibility
  • A Social Control Policy for Marihuana
    • Approval of Use
    • Elimination of Use
    • Discouragement or Neutrality
  • Implementing the Discouragement Policy
    • The Role of Law in Effective Social Control
    • Total Prohibition
    • Regulation
    • Partial Prohibition
    • Recommendations for Federal Law
    • Recommendations for State Law
    • Discussion of Federal Recommendations
    • Discussion of State Recommendations
    • Discussion of Potential Objections
  • A Final Comment

Addendum

Ancillary Recommendations

Legal and Law Enforcement Recommendations

Medical Recommendations

Other Recommendations

Index of Contributors, Contractors and Consultants