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NOVEMBER 14 AND 15, 1~67
Printed for the use of th~ Co
GOVERNME~ PRINTING 0PJ3'ICE
90-729 WASIIINGTON : 1968
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JIM WRIGHT, Texas
FERNAND J. ST GERMAIN, Rhode Island
CHRISTINE RAY DAvIs, Staff Director
JAMES A. LANIGAN, General Counsel
MILES Q. R0MNEY, Associate General Counsel
J. P. CARLSON, Minority Counsel
WILLIAM H. COP5~NI1AVEa, Minority Professional Staff
I~TERGGtTERNMENTAL RELATIONS SUBcoMMITTEE
~Et~WARp ROUS~, I~sd~aM
BENJAI~U~ S. Y~N~THAL, New York
JOHN A. BLATNIK, Minnesota
DELPEIS C. GOLDBERG~ Professional Staff Member
W. DONALD GRAZ Senior Investigator
JAMES R. NAIJOHTON, Counsel
1R~eslgned from committee Jan~ &0, 1968.
2Succeeded Hon. Robert Dole of Kansas Jan. 80, 1968.
`I Succeeded Hon. Robert Dole of Kansas Feb. 20, 1968.
I
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
WILLIAM L. DAWSON, Illinois, Chairman
CHET HOLIFIELD, California FLORENCE P. DWYER, New Jersey
JACK BROOKS, Texas OGDEN H. REID, New York
L. H. FOUNTAIN, North Carolina FRANK HORTON, New York
PORTER HARDY, Ja., Virginia DONALD RUMSFELD. Illinois
JOHN A. BLATNIK, Minnesota JOHN N. ERLENBORN, Illinois
ROBERT E. JONES, Alabama JOHN W. WYDLER, New York
EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Maryland ROBERT DOLE, Kansas
JOHN B. MOSS, California CLARENCE J. BROWN, Ja., Ohio
DANTE B. FASCELL, Florida JACK EDWARDS, Alabama
HENRY S. REUSS,Wisconsin GUY VANDIiR JAGT, Michlgafl
JOHN S. MONAGAN, Connecticut JOHN T. MYERS, Indiana
TORBERT H. MACDONALD, Massachusetts FLETCHER THOMPSON, Georgia
J. EDWARD ROUSH, Indiana WILLIAM 0. COWGER, Kentucky
WILLIAM S. MOORHEAD, Pennsylvania MARGARET M. HECKLER, Massachusetts
CORNELIUS B. GALLAGHER, New Jersey GILBERT GUDE, Maryland
WILLIAM J. RANDALL, Missouri PAUL N. McCLOSKEY, JR., California
BENJAMIN S. ROSENTHAL, New York
I~ FOUNTAIN, North Carolina, Chairman
FLORENCE P. DWYER, New Jersey
CLARENCE J. BROWN, Ja., Ohio
GUY VANDER JAGT, $
(H)
~* ~
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CONTENTS
Hearings held on- Page
November 14, 1967 1
November 15, 1968 55
Statement of-
Dwyer, Hon. Florence ., a Representative in Congress from the State
of New Jersey
Giordano, Henry L., Co missioner of Narcotics, Bureau of Narcotics,
U.S. Department of t e Treasury; accompanied by Donald E. Mil-
ler, Chief Counsel, Bu eau of Narcotics 56
Goddard, Dr. James L., Commissioner of Food and Drugs, U.S. De-
partment of Health, ducation, and Welfare; accompanied by Wil-
liam W. Goodrich, As istant General Counsel, Food and Drug Divi-
sion, HEW; and Johr~ Finlator, Director, Bureau of Drug Abuse
Control, FDA 4 3
Letters, statements, etc., sub4ñtted for the record-
Dole, Hon. Robert, a R~presentative in Congress from the State of
Kansas: Statement of 34
Fountain, Hon. L. H., a epresentative in Congress from the State of
North Carolina: corres ondence and other relevant documents sub-
mitted subsequent to t e hearings 21
Giordano, Henry L., Co missioner of Narcotics, Bureau of Narcotics,
U.S. Department of th Treasury:
Chart showing resu1t~ of legislation on ratio of narcotic addiction
to population 65
Marihuana violators reported to the U.S. attorneys by the U.S.
Bureau of Narcoti s during calendar year 1966 60
Goddard, Dr. James Ii., ommissioner of Food and Drugs, U.S. De-
partment of Health, E ucation, and Welfare:
Accountability inves igations through October 31, 1967 18
Bureau of Drug Abu e Control record of prosecutions 18
Cumulative summar of Bureau of Drug Abuse Control accom-
plishments since S ptember 1966 16
Drug arrests in Califo nia, 1966 and first half of 1967 38
FDC reports dated 0 tober 23, 1967 11
Letter from George eltzer, associate dean for academic affairs,
University of Minn sota dated October 24, 1967, re erroneous
statement on marih ana 11
Letter from Julius Frapdsen, vice president and Washington man-
ager, United Press Tnternational, dated November 2, 1967, re
erroneous statement~ on marihuana 5
Memorandum dated October 10, 1966, re interagency cooperation
between Bureau of Tarcotics and Bureau of Drug Abuse Con-
trol 6
Statement of 7
Roush, Hon. J. Edward, a epresentative in Congress from the State
of Indiana:
Article from the Associ ted Press dated October 14, 1967, entitled
"HEW Plans Regro ping of Marihuana" 20
Article from the Minne polls Tribune dated October 15, 1967, en-
titled "HEW Agenci s Conducting Probe on Marihuana" 20
(III)
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PROBLEMS It LATING TO THE CONTROL OF
MARIIIUANA
TUES AY, NOVEMBER 14, 1967
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
INTERGOVERN ENTAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
OF THE CO~[MITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,
Wc&ahingtom, D.C.
The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m., in room
2203, Rayburn House Office Building~ Hon. J. Edward Roush
presiding.
Present: Representativ~es J. Edward Roush, Benjamin S. Rosenthal,
Florence P. Dwyer, and I~obert Dole.
Professional staff pre~ent: James R. Naughton, W. Donald Gray,
and Deiphis C. Go1dberg~ Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee,
and William H. Copenhater, minority staff, Committee on Government
Operations.
Mr. ROUSH. The comn~ittee will be in order. Let the record show
that a quorum is present.
Mr. Fountain, the chailtman of the subcommittee, is a delegate to the
United Nations and the l~usiness of the United Nations has prevented
him from being present ~oday. I am J. Edward Roush, a member of
the subcommittee, and I w~i1l be presiding today.
I also call your attentidn to the ~fact that we have less than an hour.
The House goes into sessi~n at 11 today, unfortunately.
The purpose of the subeommittee's hearings ~today and tomorrow is
to discuss problems relati g to the control of marihuana. These hear-
ings were called at the re nest of several subcommittee members who
were disturbed by recent ress accounts of statements on this subject
attributed to the Commi sioner of Food and Drugs, Dr. James L.
Goddard, who isour witne s this morning.
After this hearing had been scheduled, Dr. Goddard appeared be-
fore two other committees to discuss the same subject. Although these
hearings appear to have c arified Dr. Goddard's position somewhat, a
number of questions rema n unanswered, and in fact, some new ques-~
tions have been suggeste . Moreover, since control of marihuana is
not the responsibility of DA but of the Narcotics Bureau, it seemed
advisable to hear from tha agency also. Consequently, we have sched-
uled Commissioner of Na cotics, Henry L. Giordano, as our witness
tomorrow.
Dr. Goddard, since the subcommittee members have received an
advance copy of your stat ment and since it is virtually identical to
the one you made before t e other committees, I think it would save~
time to incorporate it in th record and if there is no objection, we will
(1)
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do that. However, it would be helpful if you would take approximately
5 minutes to summarize your statement before we begin our question-
ing. I suggest that you begin `by introducing your associates.
If y~u will hold just a moment.
Mrs. Dwyer?
Mrs. Dwr~n~. Mr. Chairman, I have a statement.
STATEMENT OP HON. FLORENCE P. DWYER, A REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS PROM THE STATE OP NEW JERSEY
Mrs. DWYER. As one of those who urged the subcommittee to sched-
ule the present hearings, I want to express my appreciation to the
chairman for his decision to do so, and I should like to outline, very
briefly, what I conceive to be the nature and purpose of these hearings.
Let me emphasize, at the outset, that I do not view these hearings
as an occasion to undertake a vendetta against Dr. Goddard, though
I disagree very strongly with what I understand to have been the
general tenor of `his comments on marihuana-that is, that marihuana
is no more dangerous than alcohol and that the penalties for posses-
sion and use of marihuana should be eliminated.
Instead, I believe that the alleged views of Dr. Goddard on man-
huana provide an important opportunity for this subcommittee to
review, in some depth, the scope and adequacy `of Federal laws deal-
ing with the contrcd of dangerous drugs and narcotics. The growing
incidence of `drug abuse, the increasing tendency of the biggest seg-
ment of our population-the under-25 age group-to experiment with
drugs and narcotics, and `the destructive impact of drug abuse on the
character of our society combine to make this subject a matter of the
utmost concern to the Congress. Dr. Goddard's views on marihuana
and his leader~hip position in the fight against drug abuse offer an
appropriate starting point for such an inquiry.
Whatever Dr. Goddard's real and precise views on marihuana may
be, the unfortunate fact is that his comments were sufficiently ambig-
uous to be understood as minimizing the dangers of marihuana. Many
of our colleagues, for instance, have reported that young people known
to them have referred to Dr. Goddard's reported views as an excuse
for indulging in this narcotic. The Union County, N.J., Medical
Society, among `other authorities, has contended that the Commis-
sioner's views are unsound, and threaten the enforcement of drug and
narcotic control laws. Dr. Roscoe Kandle, New Jersey's commissioner
of health, was sufficiently alarmed to state that, and I quote, "Let's
make no mistake about `the seriousness of marihuana usage. It is a
dangerous and illegal weed, and we view the use of it as well as the
use of pep pills by young people in our schools as a matter of critical
concern." And Dr. Goddard's opposite number, the Commissioner of
Narcotics, from whom we shall hear tomorrow, has warned that the
public must be made to realize that marihuana, and I quote again,
"is not, as some people say, less dangerous than alcohol or less than
smoking tobacco."
Their fears would appear to `be justified. The New York Times of
November 4 carried an advertisement for a book entitled, "Pot-A
Handbook of Marihuan'a." The ad stated `that, `and I quote, "Legaliza-
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tion of marihuana is now called for not only by pot users but by
medical authorities and Government officials weary of the pointless
prosecutions." The ad specifically quoted newspaper reports that "Dr.
James L. Goddard, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Admin-
istration, `favored removing all penalties for the possession of man-
huana, leaving penalties only for its sale or distribution.'"
I would hope, therefore, that Dr. Goddard will not only use this
opportunity to clarify his own views on marihuana but will make it
crystal clear that, in the light of current knowledge, the use of
marihuan'a must be considered highly dangerous as well as illegal.
The problem, however, is much broader. I am hopeful that our
subcommittee hearings, now and in the future, can enlighten the Con-
gress on the following questions, among others:
Do we have a clear and consistent Federal policy relating to the
control of drug and narcotic abuse?
Is that policy understood and administered in a consistent and
coordinated way by the responsible Federal agencies, including the
Bureau of Drug Abuse Control and the Bureau of Narcotics?
Does this divided authority at the Federal level impair or strengthen
Federal control of dangerous drugs and narcotics? Can we improve
the existing system?
In the enforcement of Federal laws in `this area, are we establishing
adequate priorities and using, effectively, the limited resources that
are presently available? Or is the threat surpassing our ability to
deal with it?
Does the present state of scientific research provide a sound basis
for our `drug abuse and narcotic control laws and enforcement policies?
What don't we know-and should know-about `the nature and
effects of individual drugs and narcotics in terms of their threat to
the public safety, and is our present research program adequate to
fill these gaps in our knowledge as sodn as possible?
I hope, Mr. Chairman, that Dr. Goddard `and succeeding witnesses
will help us to answer these questions. Thank you very much.
Mr. Ronsil. Thank you, Mrs. Dwyer.
Dr. Goddard, you may proceed.
STATEMENT OP DR. JAMES: L. GODDARD, M.D., COMMISSIONER OF
FOOD AND DRUGS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OP HEALTH, ED'UCATIO~,
AND WELFARE; ACCOMPANIED BY WILLIAM W. GOODRICH,
ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL, FOOD AND DRUG DIVISION,
HEW; AND JOHN PINLATOR, DIRECTOR, BUREAU OP DRUG
ABUSE CONTROL, FDA
Dr. GODDARD. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to ap-
pear before you today. Hopefully, I can clear the atmosphere with
respect to marihuana. As evidenced by the attention given by the
Congress and others and the press, it is plain that the increasing use
of marihuana is a matter of national concern. The shocking growth
in use of the drug has been so rapid that none of us-in Government,
in medicine, or in the legal profession-has been able to counter it
effectively.
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4
The use in this country and the rest of the world, of course, has a
long history. In this country, marihuana, of course, refers to any part
of the plant or extract, such as the resin, which induces changes in
physical perception or psychological reaction. The mental and physi-
cal effects will vary depending upon the circumstances under which
the drug is used and the amount used by the individual. It is usually
consumed by smoking. The personality of the user is a variable and
involves the user's previous experience with marihuana.
Most commonly, what happens is the individual is affected so that
his ideas become disconnected, uncontrolled, and free flowing. Percep-
tion is disturbed. Minutes seem to be hours and seconds may seem to
be minutes. Space may be broadened and near objects seem far away
and vice versa. When large dosages are used, doses generally heavier
than those normally used in this country, extremely vivid hallucina-
tions may occur. Thi.s is usually related to the use of the resin or what
is called hashish in the rest of the world.
I should make it clear, `however, that nobody in the medical com-
munity today is satisfied with our level of knowledge about this drug
or in fact, many of the similar drugs. There is still a great deal of
research to be done to understand the effects of the drug and what its
long-term implications are. I have always made that statement and
tried to make it clear that I do not think anyone should use this drug
in our society until we know the long-term effects, and perhaps not
even then. They may turn out to be very dangerous.
I know that the statements that have been attributed to me have
been ones that I did not make. These have caused great concern. I
would like to clarify the record, say again what I said before.
I `did not say I would not object to my daughter smoking marihuana.
I did not and do not condone the use of mariliuana. I did not and do not
advocate abolition of controls over marihuana. I did not and do
not advocate legalizing the `drug.
With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to call to your
attention one thing `that came about as a result of an erroneous news
dispatch from Minneapolis on October 17. It was reported that I said
I would rather my daughter smoke pot than drink a cocktail. This
news dispatch was not correct and Mr. Julius Frandsen, vice president
a~ad WasWngton manager of United Press International, has acknowl-
edged its incorrectness a~nd I have provided the members of the corn-
mittee and yon, Mr. Chairman, with copies of this letter. I think one
could quibble about the clarity of the letter itself, `but it seems thvious
to me that it says, on the second page, and I would like to quote: "So it
has become clear to me that tTPI erred in attributing to you un-
qualified statements which in fact were considerably qualified. I am
sorry if TJPI has compounded your problems. We `are prepared to
carry a dispatch acknowledging our error."
Mr. ROSENTHAL. Could we have this inserted in the record?
Mr. ROTISH. Unless there is objection, the letter referred to, dated
November 2, 1967, from Mr. Julius Frandsen, vice president and
Washington manager of TJPI, will be inserted in t'he record.
(`The material referred to follows:)
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UNITED PRESs INTERNATIONAL,
New York, N.Y., November 2, 1967.
Dr. JAMEs L. GODDARD,
Commissioner, Food and Drug AdministrAtion,
Washitt'gton, D.C.
DEAR Da. GODDARD: Following my return from a trip, I have been belatedly
looking into the circumsttances of our dispatches from Minneapolis on October
17 and 18. I find we owe you an apology.
I refer to the UPI dispatch Which began, without qualification:
"Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. James Goddard says he
would not object to his daughter smoking marihuana any more than if she drank
a cocktail.'~
Unfortunately, no complete tape exists of your exchanges with reporters. The
questioning began in an informal session in the front of the auditorium after your
speech and no recording equipment was there. h~quipment Was ~et up in another
room and only the ensuing proceedings at that place were taped.
UPI was represented by Miss Judy Vick of the University of Minnesota News
Service. She says her notes show that in the questions and answers with re-
porters in the auditorium Victor Cohn of the Minneapolis Tribune asked whether
marihuana is more dangerous than alcohol. And that you replied "Whether or
not marihuana is more dangerous than alcohol is debathible. I dOh't happen to
think it is."
Miss Vick says that Mr. Cohn then asked whether you would mind if your
daughter smoked marihuana any more than if she drank a cocktail, and that
you replied "No, except in the context of the present law." I take that to be a
reference to the fact that marihuana is illegal and alcohol is legal.
Mr. Cohn's recollection is that his question was to the effect "Would you
mind if your daughter took niarihuana ?" His notes have you responding: "We
have talked about it at home. I Would (that is, would object) in terms of the
law today" and "we really don't know what the long-term effects (of man-
huana) are." Followed by some comments about distortion of perception follow-
ing use of manihuana.
So it has become clear to me that UPI erred in attributing to you unqualified
statements which in fact were considerably qualified.
I am sorry if UPI has compounded your problems. `~Te are prepared to carry
a dispatch acknowledging our error.
In view of the public uncertainty that now exists as to what you do and do
not believe, I hope you will sit clown with our Louis Cassels so that he can ~re-
pare a definitive dispatch. I believe you know Mr. Cassels and his outstanding
record for accuracy and fairness. Please let me know.
Several members of Congress have inquired about our original story, and I am
taking the liberty of sending them copies of this letter.
sincerely,
JULIUS FRANDSIDN,
Vice President and Washington Manager.
Dr. GOtDATtD. Mr. Chairman, to moire on very briefly to the more
important area, you know ~we are respohsible ~or carrying out the
Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965. ~t'he members of this com-
mittee were active in helping get those amendments through Congress
and are very interested in them. The drugs under our control that we
are responsible for are the hallucinogens, the stimulants, the depres-
sants. These include drugs that are manufactured for legal purposes
as well as a group of drugs~ largely the hallucinogens, that have no
recognized medical purpose at this time. Since the establishment of
our Bureau of Drug Abuse Control in February of 1966, we have
conducted over 2,000 criminal investigations. A third of these have
involved the hallucinogens, meaning LSD~ peyote, mescaline, psilocy-
bin. But I want to make the point that in nine out of 10 of these inves-
tigations, we have encountered marihuana. It is actively being sold
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along with the drugs that come under our direct jurisdiction. So it is
a day-by-day problem we have to live with.
We work very closely with the Bureau of Narcotics and we do refer
cases to the Bureau of Narcotics and we can provide information on
those cases. We particularly hand over to the Bureau those cases
where there are large quantities of marihuana or opiates involved
or where the investigations that are going to have to be carried out
are beyond the scope of State and local officials, with whom we also
work very closely.
Now, our normal procedure if we encounter marihuana in one of
these investigations is to turn the case over to the State and local
officials. We not only work very closely with them, by the way, but
we also provide a great deal of training to them in the handling of
cases involving abused drugs.
Now, we do have a working agreement with the Bureau of Nar-
cotics and I have a copy of that and would like your permission to
offer it for insertion in the record.
Mr. ROUSH. Without objection, it will be made a part of the record.
(`The material referred to follows:)
OCToBER 10, 1966.
MEMORANDUM
To: District supervisors, Bureau of Narcotics; and Field Office Directors,
Bureau of Drug Abuse Control.
From: Henry L. Giordano, Commissioner of Narcotics; and John Finlator,
Director, Bureau of Drug Abuse Control.
Subject: "Interagency Cooperation," Bureau of Narcotics' and Bureau of Drug
Abuse Control.
During the short time that the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control has been in
operation, many situations have developed of common concern to the Bureau
of Narcotics and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control. It appears that some traf-
fickers in narcotics and maribuaria also deal in LSD, barbiturates, or am~heta-
mines. Some narcotic addiets may also abusively use any of the controlled drugs.
There has been an increasing liaison between the various offices of the Bureau
of Narcotics and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control. It is our intent here to
reiterate the need for continuing close cooperation between our respective
Bureaus. Bureau of Narcotics and Bureau of Drug Abuse Control field personnel
should freely exchange information of common interest and should cooperate to
the fullest in investigations which involve violations of the laws within the
jurisdiction of `both `agencies. As field managers, you should set the example for
your people.
While our two agencies have separate and distinct enforcement responsibilities,
a close spirit of cooperation between us can only serve to enhance each agency's
enforcement capability and thus benefit the public.
We have already achieved a mutually beneficial working relationship of
Washington staffs beginning with the two of us. Each of you is expected to
make a specific effort to mat~b ours.
HENRY L. GIOImANO,
Comnvtssioner of Narcotics.
JOHN FINLATOR,
Director, Bureau of Drag Abuse Control.
Dr. GODDARD. One final point.
The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare has a broad
concern with the use of marihuana in our society. Specifically, the
National Institutes of Health are charged with providing services to
individuals who are addicts as defined under the Narcotics Addicts
Rehabilitation Act. The National Institute of Mental Health is
charged with the conduct of research on marihuana. The Department
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of Health, Education, and Welfare is specifically charged with carry-
ing out the education and information programs on narcotics, in-
cluding marihuana. The Food and Drug Administration is specifi-
cally charged with maintaining control over what is called synthetic
marihuana through the IND provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cos-
metic Act.
1/Ye have a very broad concern in the Department of Health, Edu-
cation, and Welfare, with respect to the problems of juvenile delin-
quency. It is on this point that I think we need to examine carefully
what we are currently doing in our society.
I made the comment in other hearings that we are really asking the
question, are the penalties for possession for use-not possession for
sale-are these really serving the best interests of society in terms of
helping reduce the problem, and, two, in terms of the individuals
who are arrested and convicted under those penalties? We have the
situation where in one State alone, last year, we had a 140-percent
increase in the arrest of juveniles for possession of marihuana. Sixty
percent of those juveniles were ages 17 and 18. Now, our concern,
stated very simply, is this: Are we making these people opt for a
life of crime rather than rehabilitating them? Is this the desire of
our country? Can't we look and find better ways of handling ju-
veniles? That in essence is a summary of what I wanted to say. I
think Mrs. Dwyer is quite right, we need to use this as an occasion
for review in toto of all our activities relating to drug abuse, what-
ever the nature of the drug abuse may be.
Thank you.
(The complete text of Dr. Goddard's prepared statement follows:)
PREPARED STATEMENT OF JAMES L. GODDARD, MD., COMMISSIONER OF FOOD AND
DRUGS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Mr. Chairman, we appreciate the opportunity to appear before YOU today to
clear the atmosphere about our position with respect to marihuana.
As evidenced by the attention given by representatives of Government, the
press, and the professions, it is plain that the increasing use of marihuana is a
matter of national concern. The shocking growth in use of marihuana has been
so rapid that none of us in government, in medicine, or the legal profession has
been able to counter it effectively. For example, the Department of Justice of
the State of California has reported a total of 28,319 adult drug arrests for
1966, the highest ~lgure to date, fully 32.1 percent above the 1965 figure. Some
of this increase comes from the enforcement last year, for the first time, of the
drug abuse control amendments, which became effective on February 1, 1966.
However, to quote from the California report, "Marihuana offenses accounted
for approximately one-half of the 1966 arrests and showed a 71-percent increase
over those reported during 1965." Arrests for "heroin and other narcotics" rose
by about 11 percent. "Dangerous drug arrests showed a 4-percent gain~" the
report also adds. California's adult inarihuana arrests in 1966 were triple that
for 1960. Among juveniles, the rise was even more dramatic; drug arrests in
general increased 87 percent between 1965 and 1966, but juvenile maribuana
arrests increased 140 percent, from 1,623 to 3,869. The marihuana arrests, plus
the 898 dangerous drug arrests, accounted for 95 percent of the juvenile drug
arrests in California during 1966.
We could pursue this further, Mr. Chairman, but I hope this illustration will
show that, as we have talked about the problem in professional circles and have
done our studies and exchanged our memoranda, the agencies of law enforce-
ment have encountered a grim situation that is developing with great momen-
turn-with a momentum that seems to exceed our own ability thus far to explore
the problem and come up with sound soltitlons that are in the public interest
and that can be quickly put into effect.
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The use of marihuana in this country and the rest of the world, has a long
history, of course. In the United States, "marihuana" refers to any part of the
plant, or `an extract such as the resin, which induces changes in physical percep-
tion and in psychological reactions. These physical and mental effects will vary
in the individual maribuana smoker, depending on four major factors:
The circumstances in which the drug is used;
The amount consumed, usually by smoking;
The personality of the user; and
The user's previous experience with marihuana.
The most common reaction to maribuana is development of a state of mind
in which ideas seem disconnected, uncontrolled, and freely flowing. Perception is
disturbed, minutes seem to be hours, and seconds seem to be minutes. Space
may be broadened, and near objects may appear far away. When large doses are
used-doses generally heavier than normally used in this country-extremely
vivid hallucinations may occur. With such large doses, `panic and a fear of death
may make the expevience highly unpleasant.
Gentlemen, what I have just told you about marihuana is a résumé from one
of the most respected textbooks on drugs in this country. It is the third edition
of the "Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics" by Louis 5. Goodman and Alfred
Gilman. I refer you to pages 209 and 300 of this volume.
It should be made clear, however, that no one in the scientific or medical com-
munities is satisfied with the level of knowledge we have concerning marihuana
and similar drugs. As I have stated on several occasions, there is `still much
research to be done.
For example, the chemical composition of n'iarihuana has not been fully deter-
mined, although what seems to be the plant's most active ingredients have been
isolated and `synthesized. Scientifically controlled marihuana studies of varying
lengths have not been conducted on animals or humans to determine effects
on body tissue and metabolism, or neuromuscular response, and on psychological,
and cultural reasons for marihuana use, especially among our young people.
The number and characteristics of marihuana users in the United States are
virtually unknown, and paths to such use are unexplored.
I am aware, Mr. Chairman, that statements attributed to me, but which I
did not make, have caused additional concern. Let me clarify the record in this
`regard.
I did not say that ~ would not object to my daughter smoking marihuana.
I did not, and I do not, condone the use of marihuana.
I did not, and I do not, advocate the abolition of controls over marihuana.
I did not, and I do not, propose "legalizing" the drug.
With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to call your attention
to ~one point which arose as the result of m~n erroneous news dispatch from
Minneapolis on October 17. I was reported to have stated that I would not ob-
ject any more to my daughter smoking marihuana than if she drank a cocktail.
The neWS dispatch was not correct and Julius Frandsen, vice president and
Washington manager of United Press International, has written me a letter
on the sublect. With your permission, I would like to insert a copy for the record
and quote just this brief portion:
"So it has become clear to me that TJPI erred in attributing to you unquali-
fied statements which in fact were considerably qualified.
I am sorry if UPI has compounded your problems. We are prepared to carry
a dispatch acknowledging our error."
Mr. Chairman, I think Mr. Frandsen-and other members of the press-
recognize the complexities of the issue of marihuana and wish to serve the
public in the best possible manner. I think the press does sense the importance
of the problem and makes every effort to provide the Nation with the best in-
formation available.
My remarks at Minneapolis and elsewhere concerning marihuana have al-
ways been in response to questions from the press. In every instance, I have
made it abundantly clear that marihuana has been and still remains under
the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Narcotics of the U.S. Department of the
Treasury. It is often erroneously assumed that the Food and Drug Administra-
tion, which administers the drug abuse control amendments, has jurisdiction
over not only the controlled drugs-the amphetamines, barbiturates, and haF-
lucinogens-but marihuana as well. Our agency has made every effort to clarify
the differences wherever possible.
PAGENO="0013"
9
As you know, Mr. Chairman, the drug abuse control amendments, which we
carry out, include a class of drugs called the hallucinogens. Among these drugs
are lysergic acid dietbylamide-or LSDL-~peyote, mescaline, psilocybin, and
others, such as DMT and STP, which have recently come upon the scene. Since
the establishment of our Bureau of Drug Abuse Control, in February of 1966,
we have conducted over 2,000 criminal investigations. A third of these have
involved the ballucinogens. Marihuana has been offered for sale or seized in
nine out of every 10 investigations by our BDAC men following the hallucinogen
leads.
Our agents, Mr. Chairman, have moved in on these cases swiftly but with
a good sense of who has jurisdiction. BDAC agents in Dallas recently seized
1,000 doses of LSD. At the same time they seized approximately 100 pounds
of miarihuana, which they turned over to Bureau of Narcotics agents. At New
York's Kennedy International Airport, BDAC agents, again working on an
LSD case, seized not only a quantity of that drug but about 230 pounds of
marihuana as well, which was turned over to local police and agents of the
U.S. Customs Service. There are countless instances of marihuana appearing
together with the hallucinogens under our jurisdiction. Our agents, working
in close cooperation with other Federal agencies and with the excellent coopera-
tion of State and local law enforcement agencies, can account for 931 arrests
to date. Sixty percent of these arrests involved the ballucinogens. And, as
I have indicated-in both the investigational as well as the arrest stages-
marihuana is usually present.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Treasury Department's Bureau
of Narcotics have been cooperating iii dealing with this problem. There is
a formal working agreement between the Bureau of Narcotics and our Bureau
of Drug Abuse Control which provides for a close working relationship between
our agents in the field as well as our staffs in Washington.
Mr. Chairman, there are a number of studies that are being conducted under
the auspices of the National Institute of Mental Health. I would like to deposit
with the committee at this time a recent listing by the NIMH of their marl-
huana research and related grant activities. You will notice that underway
are several projects on the sociology of marihuana usage, the metabolism of
maribuana in man and animals, and patterns of acquisition of the drug. Grad-
ually, we will be able to construct a clearer picture-based upon hard, scien-
tific facts-of this drug, its short- and long-term effects, its full identity, and
the ways it can and cannot be used by man.
Clearly, while the answers to these questions are being formulated by the
scientific community, by the work of many hundreds of physicians and re-
searchers, our enforcement efforts in the Food and Drug Administration as
well as in the Bureau of Narcotics must continpe. I am reminded, Mr. Chair-
man, of the experience the FDA went through when it first became involved
in the control of abused drugs. The agency discovered, for example, that as
many as 25,000 barbiturate dosages could be purchased at a truck stop. The
enforcement strategy for an agency with limited manpower seemed to be clear
enough: Concentrate on those who engage in the illicit manufacture, distribu-
tion, and sale of large quantities of those drugs which are abused by some
members of our society. This was the position advocated by the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare during the hearings held on the Drug Abuse
Control Amendments of 1965. This was the position adopted by the Congress.
After the amendments were passed by a unanimons vote of the Congress,
this strategy of enforcement continued to be FDA's approach. Iii my opipion,
it has worked well. In fact, last year, when we were questioned by three
congressional committees as to the need for more stringent penalties-particu-
larly penalties for personal possession and use of the amphetamines, barbi-
turates, and liallucinogens-I responded that we saw no need for a change
in the law. We believed then and still believe today that no useful purpose
would be served by making a felon of the individual who abuses these drugs.
I did state, however, that we would evaluate the effectiveness of the misde-
meanor penalties for the illicit manufacture, sale, and distribution of the con-
trolled drugs. If we find these penalties to be ineffective, I promised to come
back to the Congress and seek a tougher set of penalties in that area. I repeat
that promise now.
From this brief history, you can see how the FDA, while administering the
drug abuse control amendments and coming upon both LSD and marihuana in
PAGENO="0014"
10
the course of our enforcement work, finds that there is a rather significant
anomaly in the penalties with respect to these, two ballucinogens. During the
past year and a half I have become personally aware of the problem, as the
Agency's Commissioner. For example, our agents may find two Individuals in
the same room, one possessing LSD-an extremely dangerous drug-and the
other possessing maribuana. Our BDAO agents would seize the LSD under
the executive seizure provisions of the drug abuse control amendments, but
the person possessing the drug would not be subject to prosecution under the
Federal statute. His companion, however, would be taken into custody and be lia-
ble to a felony conviction under the laws governing the possession of marihuana,
a drug which is less potent than LSD. This is why I consider the penalties to be in-
consistent and why I believe that this inconsistency prevents full and effective
protection of the public interest in the matter of abused drugs of any kind.
I would like to summarize for you some of the tasks we are performing and
the goals toward which we are striving in dealing with the problem of drug abuse
in a comprehensive manner. Among these, I would include:
(1) A continuing concentration of enforcement activities against the illicit
manufacturers and distributors of dangerous drugs.
(2) An increased exchange of information with State and local police and
health agencies, as well as with similar international agencies, to strengthen
enforcement programs and to broaden the total understanding of the scientific
and social data upon which these programs must be based.
(3) The continuation and expansion of the research effort to fill the gaps
in our knowledge that I noted a moment ago.
(4) Effective assistance to educators and journalists to support their effort
to bring factual drug knowledge to the public, who utimately must determine
the nature and direction of our control programs.
The cooperation of many agencies, at all levels of government, is required
in carrying out these broad assignments. The Food and Drug Administration
will give its best efforts in this cause, I assure you.
In closing, I again emphasize that I have never advocated the legalization
of marihuana. Rather, I have raised the question of the severity of the penalties
attached to possession of marihuana and I suggest that the Congress might also
wish to review these penalties in the light of enforcement experience throughout
local, State, and Federal government and as the results of drug research may
dictate.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this opportunity to appear before you today
to clarify our position with respect to marihuana. I will be happy to answer
any questions you or your colleagues may have.
Mr. Rousii. Thank you, Dr. Goddard.
I have a few questiOns to ask and then I will call upon other mem-
bers of the subcommittee to ask those questions they might wish to
ask.
Concerning the reported statement which you made in Minneapolis,
it is my understanding that for various reasons, there is no complete
transcript of your remarks at that press conference. Is that correct?
Dr. GODDARP. Correct.
However, I do have a letter from the dean at the university, which
indicates as well that I did not make the ~omments that are attributed
to `me, in addition to-~---the dean was present with me throughout the
so-called press conference. There was confusion, as I indicated in the
hearing the other day, because a fuse blew about 3 minutes after the
press conference started. I was told at the time that the tape record-
ing would be complete, but unfortunately, it was not.
Mr. Rousn. Do you h~ve a copy of the letter from the dean?
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, we are looking for it now.
Mr. Rousu. If there is no objection, I think this letter should be
included in the record.
(The material referred to follows:)
PAGENO="0015"
11
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA,
Minneapolis, Minn., October 24, 1967.
Dr. JAMES L. GODDARD,
Commissioner of Food and Drugs,
Food and Drug Administration,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR DR. GODDARD: This is to express our appreciation for your presentation
of the third annual Alan K. Ruvelson lectureship on the relationships of gov-
ernment and business sponsored by the school of business' administration, the
college of medical sciences, and the law school.
Your thoughtful lecture and subsequent dialog with the audience `met fully our
expectations of academic quality. In order `to optimize the educational value of
your address, we plan to publish the full text and make it available to a wider
audience.
I am concerned, however, that the press conference which followed may have
led to some misinterpretation of your remarks concerning maribuana. With ref-
ereace to the latter, I understood you to say:
(1) Marihuana, like alcohol, can be dangerous.
(2) The present law regarding marihuana should be modified to give emphasis
to the sellers and purveyors rather than the users.
(3) You would counsel your children and others not to use marihuana in
view of present law and the uncertainties regarding its possible long-terni effects.
(4) Research should be, and is being, undertaken regarding the effects of
marihuana.
In view of the foregoing, I do not understand some of the comments attributed
to persons not present. And, what puzzles me even more, is why reliance is placed
upon secondhand and even tbirdhand sources when you can be asked directly to
state your views. The motives of the commentators, under these circumstances,
leave me baffled.
Again, please accept our thanks for your participation on our campus. We hope
the occasion will present itself for another visit before too long.
Sincerely yours,
GEORGE SELTZER,
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Dr. GODDARD. And I think the presence of a science writer, Mr. Vie-
~or Cohn, his understanding, and he was present throughout the
entire thing, was reported in the Pink Sheet, and clearly indicates I
never made such an unqualified statement.
Mr. ROUSH. Could we see this?
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, certainly.
(The material referred to follows:)
F]iO REPORTS
OCTOBER, 23, 1967.
GODDARD MISQUOTED IN STORIES SAYING HE WOULD No MORE OBJECT TO His
DAUGHTEB SMOKING M~RIHUAN4 THAN TO HER DRINKING `COCKTAILS, To~
SCIENCE Wnrnz SAYS,
FDA Commissioner Goddard was misquoted in news storieS reporting that he
said he would not object any more to his college daughter smoking inarihuana
than he would to her drinking a cocktail, one of the Nation's leading science
writers said October 20.
Minneapolis Tribune Reporter Victor Cohn said "most of the stories I've seen
misrepresented his-Goddard's--statements" at the University of Minnesota
October 17. Both Cohn-a former president of the Natktial ASsociation of Science
Writers-and the 1~'DA chief flatly told "The Pink Sheet" that Goddard had not
made the statement about his daughter.
Congressional den~ands for Goddard's resignation were touched off by the al-
leged statement about his daughter, and by statements he did make after a speech
at the University of Minnesota on the relationships between business and gov-
ernment. The office of Health, Bducation, and Welfare Secretary `Gardner was
studying a transcript of s'ome of Goddard's remarks at Minneapolis.
PAGENO="0016"
12
Goddard conceded, however, the basic accuracy of an October 19 front page
story in the New York Times which quoted him as saying "whether or not
marihuana is a more dangerous drug than alcohol is debatable-I don't happen
to think it is."
With regard to his children, the Times said Goddard was asked if he would
object to his son or daughter using marihuana. Reported the Times: "We've
discnssed this at borne," be said, adding, "I would object in terms of the law
today and any possible long-term effects."
The October 18 Minneapolis Tribune, in a story carrying Cohn's byline, at-
tributed to Goddard the same quotes as the Times piece the following day on
his children using marihuana and whether it is more dangerous than alcohol.
UPI Svon~ UNDERsTOoD To I~AvE COME FROM STTJDENT PTJBLIOITY STAFFER
Goddard "stated two reservations," the Tribune story added. The first was that
"We don't know what its (marihuana's) long-term effects are. For example, we
don't know whether or not it may alter the chromosomes, as LSD may do. I
wouldn't want young women who haven't been married and had children yet
to be affected." Goddard's second reservation, the Tribune continued, was that
marihuana "distorts your perception of reality so it's dangerous if you're driving
a vehicle or operating heavy equipment."
The Tribune story added that Goddard is not in favor of "legalizing" marihuana
completely. He was quoted as saying: "We need more research on chronic use,
and I think this research will start now." The same quotes appeared in the Times
story which was bylined as a "special" to the New York paper. It was based an
Cohn's story, and written by his Minneapolis colleague, Lewis Cope. This is a
customary journalistic practice when a newspaper wants a report on a distant
story.
United Press International (UPI) launched the nationwide furor over God-
dard's remarks when it carried a story from Minneapolis on the morning of
October 17. It did not quote Goddard directly, but reported that Goddard said
marihuana is no more dangerous than alcohol. The story also said: "He-God-
dard-said he would not object any more to his college daughter smoking pot
than he would to her drinking a cocktail," The UPI story was understood to have
been based on a phone report from a University of Minnesota student publicity
staffer.
The UPI story was obviously part of `the basis for an October 18 story in the
Washington Post, which the paper scald was taken "from news dispatches." The
Post story said: "The physician, who was appointed to the FDA in January 1O6~,
said he would not object any `more to his college-age daughter smoking marihuana
than he would to her dripking a cocktaiL"
Goddard, in a `three-paragraph statement issn~j October 19, said: "The state-
ment that marihuana may not `be more bazir~rcjous tl~an alcohol can be misleading
to those who are not familiar with the `hazards of alcohol." The FDA Commis-
sioner noted th'at there are an estimated 11,000 deaths annually from alcohol-
"and most experts regard that as a conservative figure."
"No month goes by in which the FDA is not ruling adversely on drugs which
are less hazardous than aleoho~," the Goddard `statement con'tinned. "The re-
search on marthuana an4 its e~eets Is `still extremely d~tlc'ient an~ we must know
a great deal more about its effect upon the individuaL" `T'he Washl~gto~ Post
reported the Goddard statement the following day under the headline, "Goddard
Pef~ncls `Pot' Views."
In an Qctob~r 2Q fojlgwnp `d~patcli, UPI s~id that "(~od~dard, nnder congres-
~i'onal lire for eqnating the dapgers of n~arihuana with ~hQ~e of alc~ol, says the
statement was intended to point up the hazards of the drug, noli uijnj~uize them."
Reporting Goddard's October 19 stateine~4, the news service `repe~tocl its earlier
report t]~at Goddard had said be woul'd not ob~ject any more if his 18-year-old
daughter szno1~ed maribuana than if she dranl~ a coç~kt~il. Statements critical of
Goddar4 quickly appeared in the `Cop~rassional Record, all inserted by Republi-
cans.
Representative Kuyken:dali, `of Tennessee, called the statement "one of the
most shocking statements I have ever seen a~tt~i~~pted `to ~ high Government
official." He added: "Such a statement by the bead of an important Federal
department is completely irresponsi'ble and, in my opinion, makes Dr. Goddard
PAGENO="0017"
13
unfit to head a division which has control over the food and drug laws of the
Nation." Knykendall cited the UPI story and referred specifically to ~oddard's
alleged statement about his college-age daughter.
GOP TASK FORCE ON CRIME SAYS "CONCERNED PARENT" L. B. ~r. WILL t~ISAvOW
GODDARD STATEMENT
Representative Conable, of New York, said, "It is appalling to me to hetiI~ the
bead of our FDA apparently coiidoning the increasing promiscuousness with
which society is viewing marihuana." Conable based his statement on the Times'
article.
Representative Hall, of Missouri, a physician, said he was "shocked" that
Goddard would make such a statement, adding "I can only regard it as a sheer
act of momentary stupidity by a person who temporarily forgot his position and
public trust." Hall drew from the UPI story.
Representative Brown, of Ohio, sent Goddard a letter in which he said he was
asking the House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee to call the Ft~A
Commissioner for a hearing "to e~plore the studies FDA has made on drug use,
abuse and dangers so that public information media or lndliniduals will not
interpret your remarks about niarihuana improperly or as applicable to all
narcotic or hallucinogenics."
Representative Brotzman, of Colorado, said Goddard "should'set the record
straight if he does not advocate the removal of penalties for possession of marl-
huana-or otherwise resign."
Representative Lukens, of Ohio, said, "In my opinion, Goddard is unfit to head
any division of Government at any level, but particulary one whckh has admin-
istrative control of the food and drug laws of this Nation."
The Republican Task Force on Crime issued a three-paragraph statenlent,
ending: "We believe the President, as a concerned parent himself, will disavow
the Goddard statement." Dr. Robert Baird, director of Harlem's Haven Narcotics
Clinic, told newsmen at the opening of a narcotics symposium in New York City,
October 19, that Goddard's remarks were "appalling" and showed "a notorious
poor knowledge of narcotics." He continued: "I call for his resignation unequiv-
ocally. He has done irreparable damage across the Nation, on college campuses
as well as in high schools." Meanwhile, office wags at IPDA were circulating
this limerick:
A well-known physician named Jim,
Has really gone out on a limb.
Believe it or not
He's decided that pot
Is better than drinking ~tralght gin.
Mr. ROUSH. While the members are looking at this, the New York
Times also carried a story on this same press conference, which was
somewhat different from the tTPI story. Now, hi~ve you examined the
New York Times story?
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, sir.
Mr. Rotisn. Is it essentially correct?
Dr. GODDARD. I would say basically correct. I could quarrel with
some of the words and the interpretation.
Mr. RotisH. According to that story, you were asked if you would
object to your son or daughter using marihuana. You answered "I
would object in terms of the law today and any possible long-term
effects."
Is that an accurate quote?
Dr. GODDARD. I also had another reservation, which you will note
in the story by Mr. Cohn. I said in addition, the problems of its usage
in terms of the distortion of reality, one's time perception is changed,
it is dangerous with relation to operation of an automobile-~there are
three reservations.
90-729-68-3
PAGENO="0018"
14
Mr. Itotrsn. My question was is that an accurate quote?
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, only to the extent of the two points they quoted.
There was one they left out.
Mr. ROUSH. Do you think it is possible that other reporters present
might have interpreted your remarks to mean that you would oniy
object because it is at present against the law to possess marihuana?
Dr. GODDARD. I can't predict what others would project from that
statement. I think it clearly said that there are three reasons why I
would not want my child or anybody else's child to use it: the law,
the possible long-term effects, and the distortions of one's perceptions.
I said those clearly.
Mr. ROUSH. Now, it seems to me the more important thing here is
to establish you own position with respect to this drug. As I under-
stand it, your position is that this i's a dangerous `drug in terms of what
it does to one's perception; that at the present time, it has no known
medical usefulness; that its possible long-term side effects are un-
known; and that it is capable of producing psychic dependence but
not physical addiction. Is this reasonably accurate?
Dr. GODDARD. That is correct, yes, sir.
Mr. Rousu. It is often said that while marihuana is not in itself
physically addicting, the psychic dependence which it can cause may
lead to experimentation with and physical addiction to other drugs,
such as the hard narcotics. Do you think this is true?
Dr. GODDARD. It is a possibility, Mr. Chairman. It. is not the total
story, though, because there are people who seek out drugs to abuse
because of their personalities. Now, we cannot attribute to marihuana
the fact that it leads to other hard uareoties-4t is only one of many
agents that are involved in this subculture of drug abuses in our so-
ciety. It is one that is most frequently involved as a precursor to the
use of heroin in those areas where heroin is the common hard narcotic
used by the drug subculture. And th'at is in 16 States, Puerto Rico,
and the District of Columbia, largely the most populous States, But
in contrast, in 12 Southern States where we also have the problem of
addiction, you never see the use of marihuana. I just interjected that
note of caution. It is not as clear cut as some would have you believe.
But yes, to answer your question, the possibility does exist that
psychological dependence on this or other drugs subject to abuse can
lead to experimentation with hard narcotics.
Mr. Rousn. I beJieve you stated publicly several times, and you in-
ferred this morning, if you did not actually say it, that you believe
the present penalties for personal possession of marihuan'a are too
severe and should be lessened. Is that correct?
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, I said they are too severe. Perhaps something
more comparable to those for the `drug-abuse `drugs would be more
satisfactory, but that we needed to reevaluate this.
Mr. ROUSH. Are you advocating that all penalties be removed?
Dr. GODDARD. No, sir.
Mr. Rousu. I would comment that this is consistent with the task
force report on narcotic and drug abuse of the President's Commis-
sion on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, in which
there `is a tentative recommendation to revise present penal codes so
PAGENO="0019"
15
that marihuana acquisition and possession become a misdemeanor
rather than a felony.
What are the present penalties for simple possession of marihuana?
Dr. GODDARD. As I understand it, and I do not wish to split hairs,
but I have been called on this, really there is no penalty for the simple
possession of marihuana itself, no Federal penalty. Rather, it is the
absence of proof that one has paid a tax that is the act that is subject
to penalty. That may seem like hairsplitting, but I am told by the
legal counsel that this is correct. In effect, possession without the proof
of having paid tax is subject to 2 to 10 for the first offense. It is within
the judge's discretion to place the individual on probation after
sentencing, but he still has carried the felony conviction, or the judge
may place the individual entirely without any penalty, remand him
to the narrow probation situation.
Mr. Rousn. What is the present penalty for possessing a drug such
as LSD?
Dr. GODDARD. On possession not for sale, there is no penalty, but the
drug is subject to executive seizure.
Mr. ROUSH. Which of the two, marihuana or LSD, do you consider
to be more dangerous?
Dr. GODDARD. Without question, LSD is far more dangerous than
marihuana.
Mr. ROUSH. The New York Times article, which I quoted previously,
says that you did not favor legalizing marihuana completely, but
favored the removal of all penalties for simple possession.
Now, I understand this is not your position. Is that correct?
Dr. GODDARD. Well, it is not what I said, Mr. Chairman. The tran-
script clearly shows that I said I believe the penalties are too severe
and the penalties should be more like those for LSD. And the record
clearly shows that.
Now, I do not say that that kind of translation-I can understand
how that kind of translation was made by a reporter.
Mr. RolJsH. Well, you are not saying that it should be the same, then,
as the penalty for the possession of LSD, are you?
Because, as I understand your statement, all we have in that instance
is executive seizure.
Dr. GODDARD. What I have said on several occasions is that perhaps
it should be comparable to LSD, but this needs to be reviewed. I am
not suggesting what the penalty should or should not be, Mr.
Chairman.
Mr. Rousil. But a moment ago, you expressed approval of the task
force recommendation that possession be made a misdemeanor instead
of a felony.
Dr. GODDARD. That is certainly one of the things, Mr. Chairman,
that I think could be considered. I am not going to advocate the specific
penalty. I simply said the matter needs to be reviewed. On several oc-
casions I have raised the question and specifically said that it would be
helpful if Congress carried out such a review.
Mr. Rotrsll. Would you be in favor of lessening the penalty for sim-
ple possession of hard narcotics such as heroin?
Dr. GODDARD. I would have to study that as I have studied the prob-
lem of marihuana before I would comment on it.
PAGENO="0020"
16
Mr. Rotrsn. It seems to me that there is no question but that the two
penalties-that is, for possession of marihuana and for possession of
LSD, are inconsistent. However, I suppose it is a matter of personal
opinion as to whether the penalty for possession of marihuana is too
heavy and the one for LSD is too light, since in fact, there is not a
penalty at all in that instance.
I believe the members and staff of the subcommittee questioned you
at some length last year as to whether the lack of any penalty for per-
sonal possession under the Drug Abuse Control Act would be a serious
hindrance in enforcing the act. I believe you stated that you did not
think so.
Dr. GODDARD. That is correct.
Mr. RousH. On the basis of your experience since that time, have
you found this to be a problem?
Dr. GODDARD. No, Mr. Chairman, we have not. We have concentrated.
our efforts, and I think successfully so, in terms of the number of cases
we make on those who sell, produce, and distribute the hallucinogens,
amphetamines, and barbiturates. We would like to offer for you a
record of our accomplishments in our Bureau of Drug Abuse Control,
comparing them to our position last September, the number of cases,
the number of agents in the field, the number of million of dosage units
seized, and so forth.
Mr. ROtTSH. Is this a report you have previously compiled or is this a
statement you are making to present to the committee?
Dr. GODDARD. A report we compiled for hearings before this commit-
tee last September. We have updated it today, showing in the com-
parison between last September and this year where we have reached
what accomplishments we have made in the drug abuse control field.
But to answer your question specifically, we do not think it has been a
handicap to not have a criminal penalty for personal possession.
Mr. RousH. The committee would like to receive that report, Dr.
Goddard.
(The material referred to follows:)
CUMULATIVE SUMMARY OF BDAC ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE SEPTEMBER 1966
TRAINING
September 1966
Present
Number agents trained, basic 1147
Number agents trained, advanced 0
Number agents trained, specialized 0
Number of State and local classes and participants (7) 0
Number of field office seminars and participants (157) 0
261
122
30
301
11, 956
1 University of California.
RESEARCH
September 1966
Present
Contracts ($300,000). (See examples.) 1
Combination drugs reviewed 0
Combinabon controlled 0
1 11
5, 000
750
Total drugscontrolled
1,600
See footnotes at end of table.
PAGENO="0021"
17
CUMULATIVE SUMMARY OF BDAC ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE SEPTEMBER 1966--Continued
EDUCATION
Number speeches 20
TV-radio 0
781
52
Number Dear pharmacists (55,000) 1
Hospital administrators (5,000) 0
Chemical suppliers (1,100) 0
Wholesalers, manufacturers (2,000) 0
National meetings (pharmacy leaders) 1
Pharmacy wholesalers 0
Pharmacy manufacturers 0
Fact sheets 7
Distribution 50, 000
Bulletin (16,000) 1
Major cooperative efforts (NARD, APHA) 0
Inquiries 2100
Films 1
Major publications distributed 0
6
1
1
2
4
2
2
10
230, 000
6
2
2300
4
22
`$300,000.
2~ month.
Note: National Committee on Discussion and Debate: Eugene, Oreg. This national organization prepared discussion
and debate topics for high schools throughout the United States. This academic year one of the topics is the drug abuse
problem BDAC prepared over 12,000 debate kits that contained information on drug abuse that will be used by high schools
debating teams.
ENFORCEMENT
September 1966
Present
Number of criminal cases 784
Number of accountability cases 57
2,216
11, 011
2 634
Number of drug injury cases 0
Number of arrests 46
84
931
Number of arrests armed 7
3 149
Number of arrests involving hallucinogens
Number of arrests with prior criminal record 18
Prosecutions 117
4 562
5 401
269
Total accountability seizure actions 0
Total accountability hearings 0
Total accountability seizure volume 3, 000,000
Total criminal seizure volume 500, 000
International meetings 1
States participating in pilot program 6
Memorandums of agreement in existence 2
Organized crime program (6)
Analysis of evidence from agencies (State and local) 0
77
47
500, 000, 000
13, 000, 000
5
22
9
(7)
8 150
I Opened.
2 Closed.
2 16 percent.
4 60 percent.
5 43 percent
Nonexistent
7 Fully documented and operational.
`Since Feb. 1, 1967.
Note: In addition, implementation of communication system for notifying local laboratories of new developments-.
Microgram.
BUREAU MANAGEMENT
September 1966 Present
Number of field offices
9
9
Number of resident offices
0
24
Personnel on board
278
461
Field office agents on board
200
300
Note: Drug abuse control information system (DACIS)-The Bureau's initial phases of the system have been opéra..
tional since March 1967 and the followup phases are continuing to be implemented. This system was designed for the
IBM 360 computer and was immediately transferred to FDA's new computer when it became operational in July 1967.
lnspections.-AII of the field offices have undergone a thorough inspection and a second cycle has been started
stressing a management appraisal technique.
Funds budgeted-Fiscal year 1966, $2.700,000 fiscal year 1967, $5,100,000; fiscal year 1968, $7,200,000.
PAGENO="0022"
18
Mr. R0UsH. In your statement, you indicated that you have con-
ducted over 2,000 criminal investigations under the act and you have
made 931 arrests. I used to be a prosecuting attorney. Usually the
proof of the pudding is in how many convictions you obtain.
Could you tell us how many of these 931 arrests resulted in con-
victions?
Dr. GODDARD. No; I cannot. I would like to ask permission of the
Chair to supply that for the record. How many of these cases are
pending in U.S. attorneys' offices at the present time. If I may, I would
be happy to dig up those data.
Mr. ROUSH. For those which have come into the courtroom, I think
the committee should have the facts as to how many convictions you
did obtain.
(The material referred to follows:)
Since beginning operations BDAO has initiated prosecutive action against 1,092
individuals. This figure is 161 above the arrests figure, but is explained by the
fact that some cases were inherited from the previous FDA actions.
Convictions 389
State arrests 1351
Pending cases 352
Total individual defendants 1,092
1 These were arrests made by State officials with our cooperation.
All of the above Federal prosecutions have resulted in successful terminations.
Mr. ROtTSH. In your testmony last year, you indicated that you would
rely rather heavily on the auditing records of drug manufacturers,
wholesalers and retailers in order to detect diversion to illicit chan-
nels. How many cases have you brought to court as a result of this
type of activity?
Dr. GODDARD. Again, sir, may I provide for the record the number of
cases that have gone to court. But I can tell you we have carried out
907 accountability investigations to date which `have resulted in the
seizure of 570 million dosage units of drugs under this law.
Now, in some instances, those cases never go to court, because we
are able to work with the company and get them to agree to proper
recordkeeping procedures, and it is obvious that there was a lack of
understanding on their part. Under those circumstances, they can
repossess the drug and process it again with proper procedures. So not
all `these would represent cases that have been prosecuted. We would
be happy to provide the number that do.
Mr. Rousil. We would be happy to receive that.
(The material referred to follows:)
Accountability Investigations Through October ~?J1, 1967
Accountability investigations completed or underway 1, 011
Seizures accomplished 95
Total controller drugs seized (in dosage equivalents) (in units)__ 1598,479, 621
Prosecutions' (2 more pending) 6
~ Most drugs seized through the accountability program are returned to the firm upon
sufficient evidence that the records are brought into compliance with the drug abuse control
amendments. BDAC's math goal through these seizure actions is to upgrade a firm's records
to further prevent possibilities for diversion.
PAGENO="0023"
19
Mr. RousH. Do I understand that you do not believe that a criminal
penalty for the personal possession of an illicit drug is a deterrent to
the trade in such drugs. Is this your position?
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, sir; it is basically my position, because the usage
of marihuana has increased greatly. If such a deterrent were a penalty,
then one would wonder why the increase is occurring.
Mr. R0USH. Would not the very face of the penalties reduce the
demand and thus affect the market? It seems to me that if I knew
that I was going to be subjected to a penalty for the possession of
a drug, I would not be as likely to buy it and I would not be as likely
to promote a market for it.
Dr. GODDARD. A market for it, we think that is where the emphasis
should go and that is where we are using our resources, on those who
promote the usage of these drugs or offer for sale or manufacture
or distribute them. We think that with the limited resources at our
level, this is where our major effort should be concentrated and that
is what we have done. But when we have hundreds of thousands of
people, and the estimates range-for example, on marihuana alone,
between 400,000 and 3 million persons using the drug in our society.
We have to raise the question, Would making criminals or felons out
of these people accomplish the purpose? Could you even accomplish
that objective if that were your desire? Rather, should we not make
every effort to control these drugs that are being abused by trying
to decrease the amount available for usage and cut off the sources of
supply? That is what I am trying to get at.
Mr. RousH. I think you should be commended for trying to get at the
source of supply. But it does seem to me, and I am just expressing a
personal opinion, that making possession an offence also makes its
contribution in setting up a deterrent for the use of these drugs. This
is, of course, just a personal opinion.
Just a couple more questions and then I will call upon Mrs. Dwyer.
An article published in the Minneapolis Tribune of October 15,
which I believe was three days before you made your "famous"
statement-
Dr. GODDARD. Is that infamous?
Mr. ROUSH. Infamous would be better, perhaps.
It stated that the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Ihad been conducting a broad-scale investigation of marihuana for
several months but had not reached any consensus for recommending a
change in the Federal policy toward the drug. According to the article,
the investigation was being conducted by staff from the Food and Drug
Administration, the Public Health Service, and the legal office, and was
aimed at determining whether the present restrictions on use of man-
huana and the accompanying criminal penalties should be revised.
Is that an accurate.story?
Dr. GODDARD. I do not believe it is; no1 sir.
Mr. RousH. Well, what is the story?
Dr. GODDARD. There has been a staff study carried out. I cannot speak
for the Department as to all the objectives, but mainly the interest has
been on the research program. I tried to outline the broad interest of
PAGENO="0024"
20
the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in the subject of
marihuana.
Mr. Rousu. I have in mind a release or a pamphlet from the 11.5.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Office of Public In-
formation, and also a copy of this story, which is headlined "HEW
Agencies Conducting Probe of Marihuana." It is from this story that
my question has its source.
(The material referred to and a related story from the Associated
Press follows:)
[From the Minneapolis Tribune, Oct. 15, 19673
HEW AGENCIES CONDUCTING PROBE ON 1V[ARIHUANA
WASHINGTON, D.C-The Department of Heath, Education, and Welfare
(HEW) is conducting a broad-scale investigation of marihuana, a Government
spokesman said Saturday.
The inquiry began several months ago, and has not produced any consensus for
recommending a change in Federal policy toward the drug, he said.
So far, the investigation has been conducted at a staff level among various
agencies in the department-the Food and Drug Administration, the Public
Health Service, and the legal office.
Th~ studies are aimed at determining whether the present stringent restric-
tions on use of the weed and accompanying criminal penalties should be revised.
Involved are medical, psychological, social, and pharmacological considerations,
the spokesman said.
"There have been a number of viewpoints expressed in a number of memos
circulating within the department," the spokesman said. "But there has been
no decision or department position taken."
Although the studies have been going on for several months, they have not
been refined enough for presentation to Secretary John W. Gardner, the spokes.
man said.
[From the Associated Press, Oct. 14, 1967]
HEW PLANS REGROUPING or MARIHUANA
SAN FRANOIsO0.-The Federal Government is considering proposals to change
its classification of marihuana from narcotic to. "dangerous drug," according
to the San F~rancisco Chronicle.
The newspaper said in today's editions such consideration is going on "at the
highest Cabinet level" and would remove possession and use of marihuana from
the felony category.
The Chronicle said "a confidential position paper" circulated within the U.S.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare calls marihuana "clearly a
recreational drug."
In Washington, a spokesman for the Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare said the question of marihuana is under review, but "there is no
departmental position paper."
Dr. GODDARD. I understand, but the fact that the HEW news office
reprinted the story does not lend any credence to it, as you well ap-
preciate. That is simply to keep the Secretary and the principal staff
advised of what stories are being carried in the newspaper.
Mr. GRAY. This is headed "Selected News Items From the Regional
Offices." What does that mean? Does that mean regional officers put
out this story?
Dr. GODDARD. They contributed these and send them in and they
are published in both the headquarters and the regions.
Mr. GRAY. The lead of it says, "The Department of HEW is con-
ducting an investigation of marihuana, a Government spokesman
PAGENO="0025"
21
said Saturday." Is it likely that the UPI, which also originated this
story, manufactured this spokesman?
Dr. GODDARD. Mr. Gray, I do not know who the spokesman was. I
cannot speak for the Department on this. I can only tell you as the
head of one agency, the information we have provided is on what re-
search is being carried out, what IND studies are now being carried
out, what we are finding in respect to marihuana in our BDAO ac-
tivities. Beyond that, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the
spokesman.
Mr. RO1JSH. Who represents FDA in this study?
Dr. GODDARD. I do in providing information that the Department
required.
Mr. RO1JSH. You have not designated a particular individual or in-
dividuals to participate. in the fiscal study itself, then? That is, in
actively participating in the study?
Dr. GODDARD. No; I have, not designated anyone. All that has oc-
curred is we have been asked to provide certain information as a
significant situation. We transmitted that information and to my
knowledge, that is all that has happened.
(Subsequent to the hearings there was further correspondence
with respect to this matter. The correspondence and. other relevant doc-
uments follow:)
DECEMBER 1, 1967.
Dr. JAMES L. GODDARD,
Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, U.s. Department of HeaUh, Fdu.
cation, and Weif are, WasMngton, D.C.
DEAR COMMISSIONER GODDARD: When you testified before the subcommittee
on November 14 on the subject of marihuana controls, Mr. Roush, who was pre-
siding in my absence, asked you about a TJPI news story which appeared in the
October 15 Minneapolis Tribune. This story, which appeared 3 days before the
one in which you were allegedly misquoted, stated that for several months staff
members from FDA, PITS, and the legal office of HEW bad been conducting a
study of marihuana aimed at determining whether the present stringent restric-
tions and criminal penalties for its use should be revised.
When Mr. Roush questioned you about this story, you said that you did not
believe it was accurate. You acknowledged that a marihuana study had been
carried out in the Department and that you personally represented FDA, but
you maintained that the study was primarily oriented toward research on man-
huana and that FDA's role was limited to providing information on research
being carried out under IND's and on findings with respect to manihuana under
BDA4J activities.
A review of FDA files by the subcommittee staff subsequent to the hearings
indicate~ that the HEW study was far broader and that FDA was far more
deeply involved thaii your testimony indicated. The files show that at a meeting
~n June 28, 1967, representatives from NIMH, FDA, and OE were asked to sub~
mit views on manibuana to Mr. Joseph Murphy, special assistant to Secretary
Gardner.
FDA's suggested departmental position on marihuana is contained in a July
21, 1967, memorandum from you to Dr. Milton Silverman, another special assist-
ant to the Secretary. That memorandum outlines four alternative positions and
lists the advantages and disadvantages of each. However, the alternative which
you recommended be adopted called for control of manihuana as an hallucinogen
under the Drug Abuse Control Act. Your specific recommendations for imple-
mentation of this policy were as follows:
1. Adequate resources for enforcement, education, training, and research be
made available to Hew.
2. Repeal the current Manlhuana Tax Act.
3. Place marihuana under DAOA as an hallucinogen.
`90-729-68-----4
PAGENO="0026"
22
4. E1iminate penalty for pOssession of marihuana for one's personal use but
retain executive seizure authority provided under DACA.
5. Increase penalty for illegal sale, manufacture, distribution, and propagation
of all controlled drugs from the misdemeanor to the felony level without a manda-
tory sentencing provision.
6. Eliminate mandatory sentencing for all violations involving maribuana.
7. Require licensing of all marihuana growers, dealers, and handlers where
sale, distribution, and propagation is intended.
The records also show that a draft departmental position paper, the recom-
mendations of which were substantially the same as those in your original memo,
was circulated by the Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Lee, on August 14, 1967.
This draft, with the reinsertion of some language from your original memo, was
endorsed by Deputy Commissioner Rankin, with your concurrence, on August 16,
1967.
A revised position paper, incorporating these suggested changes, was circulated
by Dr. Silverman on September 5, 1967, and was endorsed by Mr. Rankin on
September 8, 1967.
It seems to me that the subcommittee deserves an explanation of the obvious
discrepancy between the facts as shown in the documents cited above and your
testimony on November 14.
An early response to this letter will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
L. H. FOUNTAIN,
Chairman, Intergovernmentci2 Relation$ Subcommittee.
MEMORANDUM
JULY 12, 19437
To: James L. Goddard, Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
Thru: Director, Bureau of Drug Abuse Control, Acting Director, Division of Drug
Studies and Statistics.
Subject: Discussion of preliminary approaches to the marihuana problem.
INTRODUOTION
On Wednesday, June 28, a small group of persons from NIMH, FDA, Office of
Education, and HEW, discussed informally some of the problems and issues of
marihuana. At the end of the discussion, it was agreed that each person would
write up a couple of pages of discussion representing his current thoughts on
niaribuana. Subject to the review and approval of persons listed above, the dis-
cussion material will be sent to Mr. Joseph Murphy, special assistant to the assist-
ant secretary for program coordination, HEW.
DISOUSSION
The marihuana problem that exists today should be looked at from many
viewpoints at the same time to make sense of it. The groups whose views are most
important are: young people as an age group; young people with high drug
interest; parents; regulatory enforcement agencies; public health personnel;
and so on.
For both young people as a general group and young people interested in ex-
perimenting with drugs, there are few real issues involved with marihuana
other than legal controls that exist on it, societies' "inconsistent" attitudes
about drugs, and their personal freedom to ingest anything as they now see fit.
For the group of scientists and administrators concerned with the drug, the
issues and problems are more complex and difficult. Some of these persons think
we know enough about the drug to assess the proper level of social controls over
it while others think this performance is not now available. The fact that those
who should know about the drug disagree so much points to the conclusion that
we do not have a convincing core of information.
Just as important as "the facts" is our current inability to say what an educa-
tional program should look like if the facts were available. That is, there is a
big difference between having information on pharmacology, toxicity and threats
to health that a drug poses and our ability to get this information across to the
medium and high risk groups in such a way as to change their behavior. The
PAGENO="0027"
23
information about the psychopharmacology of LSD did not initially deter abuse
of the substance and it was not until humans began entering hospitals with very
serious reactions that the public and some of the high risk groups began to take
the problem seriously. Use of alcohol and cigarette smoking are comparable
problem~ showing the lack of an effective educational program.
The previous studies that have been done on marihuana do not, I feel, give
us a scientific basis for saying what the proper type and level of sanctions on
marihuana should be. The claims made by enforcement persons were made in
the case of marihuana on the basis of cases they had seen in the enforcement
setting but the possibility that other causes besides the drug lead to the dire
effects was not adequately considered. The subjective impressions of persons
close to the marihuana scene may or may not have been correct but as a basis
of proceeding now, subjective impression or "enforcement experience" is inade-
quate.
The nature of usage of marihuana has expanded significantly from those who
used it as an early substitute for heroin and other narcotics `to include those
who now use the drug to seek enjoyment and respite from the stresses and
strains of living. Unless more than "impressionistic" data gathering facilities
exist or are created, one cannot detect such shifts in the type of user as apparently
has happened in the recent past, except on a qualitative basis. Since the whole
issue is charged by the social context and the proximity to dangerous drugs,
attitudes have become polarized, thus distorting a neutral and objective interpre-
tation of whatever skimpy data we do have available.
What we need now is an intensive effort to identify our areas of scientific
knowledge and the gaps that exist in it with immediate research to fill these
in and, secondly, at the same time to begin to study ways of utilizing this
information in an effective manner, rather than assuming our current education
techniques will do the job.
At the same time that scientific and educational work is done, we must begin
to develop a conceptual framework in which to integrate the pharmacology
and the psychology of use of the drug. For example, some type of integrated
view that takes a balancing or compromising position among the extremes would
lead us to some es~timate of the type and level of social controls that are needed
on the drug. We need `to look at the potential for abuse and the hazard to health
possibly in terms of a continuum in which the maximum danger point is the
worst that the drug could do under extreme conditions in a small group of
unstable people. At the other hand, looking at the minimum potential for abuse,
one needs to ask the question of what the least effects of the drug are and what
the `drug may do under the best usage conditions in a group of we'll `adjusted
stable persons using low dosage levels. Information on prevalence of usage
by various types of persons would then be one factor to be considered in making
an initial judgment about con'tr'ols. Other factors to be considered along with
this one `are the "association complex" (what other drugs typically travel with
marihuana) and what is the capacity `of the drug to change the perceptions the
user has of other drugs. Some type of conceptual framework such as this would
be helpful in guiding `the identification of the most important scientific and edu'ca-
tion'al research efforts on which a recommendation and decision about social
controls might be m'ade.
JEAN PAUL SMITH, Ph. D.
JuLY 21, 1967.
Dr. MILTON SILVERMAN,
Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Health and Scientific Affairs.
JAMES L. GODDARD, M.D.,
Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
HEW POSITION ON MARIHUANA
There are at least four alternatives to `the m'arih'uana problem from `the Federal
standpoint. This paper will touch on the advantages and disadvantages of four
major `categories an'd will recommend `the po'sition HEW `should take. The cate-
gories are (1) leave the current status of marihuana law as it is without legal
or administrative changes, (2) completely legalize mari'huana use, s'ale, pos~
Session `and distribution, (3) leave marihuana control with the Federal Bureau
of Narcotics (FBN) but with reductions in the criminal penalties for sale and
PAGENO="0028"
24
possession, and (4) control marihuana as a hallucinogen under the Drug Abuse
Control Amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The advantages and disadvantages discussed below may or may not be valid.
But they are the most commonly mentioned considerations among scientists, in
law enforcement circles and among the members of the public who show an
interest in the problem.
I. LEAVE AS IS
Advantages
1. The Narcotics Bureau has had 30 years of experience in policing the drug.
2. Many State criiminal laws define "narcotics" to include m,arihuana and
a change in Federal definition or reclassification would introduce an area of
confusion over the status of these laws.
3. NarcotIcs users reportedly convert to inarihuana use when heroin or mor-
phine are scarce or h~gth priced.
Disadvantages
1. The punishment under `the current law does not fit the crime. It is much
too severe and lumps maribuana violations with those of hard narcotics.
2. Education of the public may not be acceptable to FBN since its philosophy
has been and still is "don't use it-it leads to violence, crime and heroin
addiction."
3. The general public does not believe the statements FBN makes about
marihuana.
4. PharmaeologP*lly, m'arihuan'a is an hallucinogen but Federal law now
treats it as a narcot~c in terms of criminal penalties.
5. It is controlled under a taxing measure When its abuse is really a public
health problem.
6. The experience gained under the National Prohibition Act dictates that total
outlawing or harsh penalties don't eliminate a social vice.
7. Marihuana traffickers are more often found in LSD abuser circles than in
hard narcotics circles.
IL COMPLETELY LEGALIZE
Advantages
1. Consistent with society's views on alcohol.
2. Marihuana is a social lubricant and tension reducer.
3. Use of marihuana isa matter of private morality not public law.
4. It is a mild nonaddicting drug with no proven immediate or long range
ill effects on the central nervous system or other body organs.
5. There is no proof that it causes any more miSbehavior than alcohol.
6. Psychological dependence to `the drug is limited to high risk groups who
seem to be susceptible to drug use.
7. Marihuana costs considerably less than alcohol.
8. lit can be grown anywhere and control of its supply would therefore be
difficult.
9. There are apparently no after effects, i.e., hangovers, addiction or physical
destruction of `body tissue from marihu'an!a as compared wi'th alcohol.
10. Our experience with current con'trols has been wholly unsuccessful since
usage has increased largely in the past few years.
Disadvantages
1. Legalization would merely `add one more drug to `the list of abused drugs.
:2. Physiological and pharmacological effects of the drug are not scientifically
established so that the actual risks involved are unknown.
3. Most civilized countries in the world now have some controls over marihuana
usage.
4. Legalization would impair our relations with `the other countries who are
also signatories to the United Nations Single Convention of 1961.
5. It may lead to the use of more concentrated cannabinols.
6. Only a vocal minority supports complete legalization.
7. It would aggravate FederaliState relations with States that do not legalize
the drug.
PAGENO="0029"
25
8. Funds used to determine physical and psychological effects could be better
spent for research on more promising therapeutic remedies.
9. Perceptions and attitudes toward other more powerful drugs might be altered
for the worse.
10. Legalization may attract many youths who might otherwise not use the
drug or bring them in contact with deviant subcultures.
11. It may well add to the `toll of home `a'nd highway accidents.
12. Legalization would be contrary to our position on other hallucinogenic
drugs.
13. Persons of borderline or unstable adjustment might become social liabilities
if marihuana were freely available.
III. REDUCE PENALTIES BUT LEAVE WITH FBN
Adva~tage8
1. Eliminates any administrative interruption in enforcement.
2. Eliminates any confusion as to the Federal agency which has had jurisdic-
tion over marihuana for many years.
3. Eliminates the immediate need for the training of new personnel for
enforcement.
Disadvantages
1. FBN would be handling drugs with differing penalties.
2. Educational `and research efforts would not be undertaken to the degree that
a socially and public health inclined agency such as HEW might.
3. FBN would have to change its position of some 30 years on the social cou-
sequences of marihuana use which would require an admission of misjudgment.
4. FBN m'ay be embarrassed `because it asked for stronger penalties a few years
ago (mandatory sentencing) and yet the traffic has flourished.
5. Major traffickers in marihuana are more closely allied with LSD and other
hallucinogen traffickers than narcotics traffickers.
6. Except for asking for more stringent criminal penalties, F'BN has not
undertaken a vigorous enforcement policy toward marihuana.
IV. CONTROL AS AN HALLUCINOGEN UNDER DACA
Adva~st ages
1. Uniform handling and classification of all hallucinogens.
2. Consistency in the treatment of offenders.
3. There is a growing sentiment for placing control of marihuana, along with
other haillucinogens, under DACA.
4. Philosophy of control of abusers by HE'W (and BDAC) is consistent with
the latest scientific thinking in that the abuser must be educated and treated,
but the trafficker should be punished.
5. A. new organiza'tion with a fresh approach may do more to control the
problem than the status quo methods which are not working.
6. The methods and philosophy of HEW and its `Bureau of Drug Abuse Control
would be supported by scientific and public `health groups.
7. Marihuana and LSD trafficking are interrelated. BDAC' field offices report
that in the vast majority of their LSD arrests, m'arihuana is found on the person
arrested or in his residence.
8. Transfer would minimize overlapping of investigations and prosecutions
by BDAC and FBN.
9. More researth would be possible under BDAO-NIMH auspices than under
FBN because BDAC-NIMH are under the same administrative leadership.
Disadvantages
1. A segment of `the public may not understand and adversely react to a lessen-
ing of controls and penalties.
2. Transfer of jurisdiction may adversely affect morale in FBN.
3. Current budgetary limitations in HEW's BDAO do not provide for handling
a problem drug such as marihuana and financial relief is unlikely `because of the
Vietnamese situation.
4. Youth may feel LSD is not dangerous if marihuana is' classified with it.
PAGENO="0030"
26
5. Such a change may be playing into the hands of a vocal minority.
6. Marihuana usage may increase if penalties are decreased.
7. HEW does not have (at present time) adequate educational strategies
to curb drug abuse.
8. There is some question that HEW is presently prepared to handle the en-
forcement of a problem as large and complex as marihuana abuse.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After due consideration of all the above factors, I recommend that category
No. 4 (control maribuana as an hallucinogen under the DACA) be the HEW
position on marihuana. As a part of this recommendation, it is absolutely essen-
tial that the following conditions be met:
1. Adequate resources for enforcement, education, training and research be
made available to HEW.
2. Repeal the current Marihuana Tax Act.
3. Place marihuana under DACA as an hallucinogen.
4. Eliminate penalty for possession of muarihuana for one's personal use but
retain executive seizure authority provided under DACA.
5. Increase penalty for illegal sale, manufacture, distribution, and propagation
of all controlled drugs from the misdemeanor to the felony level without a man-
datory sentencing provision.
6. Eliminate mandatory sentencing for all violations involving marihuana.
7. Require licensing of all marihuana growers, dealers, and handlers where
sale, distribution or propagation is intended.
U.S. GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT or HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFAREL_OFFICE
OF THE SECRETARY
AUGUsT 14, 1967.
To: See below.
From: Philip R. Lee, M.D., Assistant Secretar~y for Health and Scientific Affairs.
Subject: Marihuana-HEW position.
Attached is the draft form of a recommendation on the position of the Depart-
ment on marihuana control. It was developed in cooperation with Dr. Goddard,
Dr. Yolles and others, for presentation to the Secretary.
We would appreciate your comments no later than close of business, Friday,
August 1&
PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS ON MARIHUANA CONTROL
The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare believes that control of
marihuana can best he accomplished by Executive and congressional adoption
of the following recommendations:
1. Repeal the current Marlhuana Tax Act.
2. Place marihuana under the drug abuse control amendments to the Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
3. Increase penalties to the felony level for illegal sale, manufacture, distribu-
tion, and propagation of marlhuana, but without a mandatory sentencing
provision.
4. Eliminate penalty for possession of marihuana for personal use but retain
executive authority to seize illicit stocks, as provided in the drug abuse control
amendments.
5. Provide the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with adequate
resources for necessary enforcement, training, and research.
RATIONALE
Arguments for these recommendations include:
1. Legally and medically, this approach would be consistent with Federal
policies adopted for LSD and other hallucinogens.
2. A rehabilitation and education, rather than a punitive, approach would gain
the approval of the scientific community and large sectors of the public.
3. Critically needed research-chemical, pharmacological, ~linical, and epi-
demiological-would he advanced under the Food and Drug Administration and
other HEW agencies.
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27
4. Marihuana users who need professional assistance would be more willing
to accept treatment offered by health-oriented official agencies.
5. Transfer of enforcement functions to the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control
would allow the Federal Bureau of Narcotics to intensify its addictive drug
control efforts.
Arguments against these recommendations include:
1. The administration and Congress may receive critical responses from local
law enforcement and legislative bodies who have long associated marihuana
use with delinquency and crime.
2. Temporary increase in marihuana use may occur among young people who
advocate abandoning or relaxing legal controls.
3. Additional trained BDAO agents would be needed to police importation and
distribution of marihuana, and to assist users who request medical care.
4. Repeal of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 and subsequent State legislation
modeled on the act may encounter widespread official resistance.
5. Additional funds would be required to carry out necessary education, train-
ing, and research.
DISCUSSION
1. The first wave of official and popular reaction to these recommendations may
be critical. A firm and united stand by the FDA and the Public Health Service,
coupled with an intensive effort to gain active support of the scientific community,
would do much to counter negative reaction.
2. An educational campaign should be mounted to encourage acceptance of the
concept successfully promoted in the case of LSD and other hallucinogens: the
trafficker in dan~gerous drugs is a menace to society and should be punished;
the user of dangerous drugs should be educated to voluntarily give up the habit,
and should be treated when his physical or psychological condition requires it.
3. Repeal of the Marihuana Tax Act and transfer of enforcement jurisdiction
to the FDA would require a major legislative effort by the adininis1tration, with
the possibility that a compromise between the FDA and FBN positions would
be necessary. That is, it may not be feasible to eliminate all legal sanctions
against the personal use of marihuana.
4. Adminisitratively, an equally strong effort would he required to effect a
smooth adjustment from the strictly punitive to a public health `approach to
enforcement of marihuana laws.
5. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Attorney General,
and the Treasury Department would have to reach `agreement at the Cabinet level
on needed changes in the law, budget modifirations, and the possi4ble transfer of
`trained enforcement personnel from the Bureau of Narcotics to the Bureau of
Drug Abuse Control.
6. Consideration of the need for concurrent educational and research programs
related to marihl4ana control also would be required.
A~otTsT 16, 198't.
Psu~n' H. Lur, M.D.,
Assistant ~eeretary for Health and Scientific Affairs.
W. B. RANKIN,
Deputy Coiwiwissioner, Food and Drug Administration.
MA1SIHIIANA-HEW POSITION YOUR MEMO OP AUGUST 14, 1967
Recommendation No. 3 on page 1 is not consistent with argument No. 1 for the
recommendations on page 2 because a felony penalty for marihuana violations is
inconsistent with the misdemeanor provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic
Act. (Medically, the recommended approach is consistent.) We suggest that the
inconsistency be eliminated by changing recommendation No. 3 on page 1 to read:
"Increase penalty to the felony level for illegal sale, manufacture, distribution
and propagation of marihuana and all drugs controlled under the Drug Abuse
Control Amendments, but without a mandatory sentencing provision."
Presumably, item 3 at the bottom of page 3, last sentence, refers to the likeli-
hood that we will not be able to get all the States to eliminate sanction against the
personal use of marihuana. We hope that it does not become necessary to retain
sanctions in the Federal law against the personal use of marihuana.
PAGENO="0032"
28
With regard to the proposed Cabinet level discussions, item 5, page 4, we believe
that the Bureau of Narcotics sees a need for all of the men that it presently has
to deal with traffic in hard narcotics. We have no reason to challenge that position
and thus do not see the feasibility of any significant transfer of enforcement per-
sonnel from BON to BDAC. Therefore we suggest that the end of the sentence be
rewritten to read:
"* * * and the methods of supplying an adequate nun~ber of well-trained en-
forcement personnel to meet the needs of the Bureau oi~ Drug Abuse Control."
We think the position paper is excellent and endorse it with the changes sug-
gested. We have read it by telephone to Dr. Goddard, who concurs.
SEPTEMBER 5, 1967.
MRMORANDtM
To: See below.
From: Milton Silverman, Ph. D., SpecIal Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for
Health and Scientific Affairs.
Subject: Marihuana-revised statement of HEW position.
Attached is the draft form of a revised recommendation on the position of the
Department on marthuana. The revisions were developed from the August 14
version on the basis of suggestions from NIMH, FDA and others.
I'll appreciate it if you can return this to me with either your approval or any
additional changes which seem needed. Your comments should be in our hands no
later than September 11.
PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS ON MARTHUANA CONTROL
The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare believes that control of
marihuana can best be accomplished by executive and congressiona] adoption of
the following recommendations:
1. Repeal the current Marihuana Tax Act.
2. Place marihuana under the drug abuse control amendments to the Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
3. Increase the penalty to the felony level for illegal sale, manufacture, dis-
tribution, and propagation of marihuana and all drugs controlled under the
drug abuse control amendments, but without a mandatory sentencing provision.
4. Eliminate the. penalty for possession of marihuana~ for perBon'al use but
retain executive authority to seize illicit stocks, as provided in the drug abuse
control amendments.
5. Provide the Food and Drug Administration with adequate resources to
carry out necessary enforcement functions.
6. Provide the National Institute of Mental Health and the Food and Drug
Administration with adequate resources to carry out research,~ including studies
of physiological and psychological effects,. patterns and extent of usage, relation
of mariliua~na i~e to the use of other substances affecting the central nervous
system, and acute and chronic toxicity.
7. Encourage the States to change their laws on marihuana to conform with
Federal law and where appropriate, to place control of marihuana under State
food and drug laws.
RATIONALE
Arguments for these recommendations Include:
1. Legally and medically, this approach would be consistent with Federal
policies adopted for LSD and other hallucinogens.
2. A rehabilitation and educat~on, rather than a punitive, approach would
gain the approval of the scientific community and large sectors of the public.
3. Critically needed research-chemical, pharmacological, clinical, and epide-
miological-would be advanced under the Food and Drug Administration and
especially in the National Institute of Mental Health.
4. Those people whose excessive use of marihuana may be related to existing
personal and family problems would be more willing to accept counseling
offered by health~oriented agencies.
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29
5. Transfer of enforcement functions to the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control
would allow `the Federal Bureau of Narcotics to ii~tensify ll~s control efforts
against morphine, herein, and other addictive drugs.
Arguments against these recommendations include:
1. The Administration and Congress may receive critical responses from local
law enforcement and legislative bodies who have long associated marihu'an'a use
with delinquency and crime.
2. Temporary increase in marihuana use may occur among young people who
advocate `abandoning or relaxing legal controls.
3. Additional trained BDAC agents would be needed to police Importation and
distribution of marihuana, and to investigate the extent of marihuana use among
various economic groups.
4. Repeal of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 and su'bsequent State legislation
th'odeled on the act may encounter widespread official resistance.
5. Additional funds would be required by the National Institute of Mental
Health to carry out necessary physiological, psychological, and sociological re-
search on marihuäna use and the characteristics of users.
DISCUSSION
1. The first wave of official and popular reaction to these recommendations
may b'e critical. A firm and uni'ted stand by the FDA and `the PHS, coupled with
an intensive effort to gain active support of the scientific community, would do
much to counter negative reaction.
2. An educational campaign should be mounted to encourage acceptance of the
concept successfuly promoted in `the case of LSD `and other hallucinogens: the
trafficker in dangerous drugs is a menace to society and should be punished; the
user of dangerous drugs should be educated to voluntarily give up the habit, and
should be exposed to treatment or counseling opportunities when his physical or
psychological condition requires it.
3. Repeal of the Marihuana Tax Act and transfer of enforcement jurisdiction
to the FDA would require `a major legislative effort by the Administration, with
the possibility that a compromise between the FDA and FBN position's would be
necessary. That is, it may not be feasible to eliminate all legal sanctions against
the personal use of m'arih'uana.
4. Administratively, an equally strong effort would be required to effect a
smooth adjustment from the strictly punitive to a public health approach to
enforcement of marihuana laws.
5. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Attorney General,
and the Treasury Department would have to reach agreement at the Cabinet level
on needed changes in the law, `budget modifications, and the methods o'f supplying
an adequate number `of well-trained enforcement personnel to meet the needs
of the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control.
SEPTEMBER 8,1967.
MILTON SILVERMAN, Ph. D.,
Special assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Health and Scientific Affairs.
W. B. RANKIN,
Depnty Coiwinissioner.
MARIIIUANA-REVISED STATEMENT or HEW POSITION~ YOUR MEMO or
SEPTEMBER 5, 1967
The Food and Drug Administration concurs with the "Proposed Recommenda-
tions on Marihuana Control" dated September 5.
We call attention to the fact `that elimination of the penalty for possession
of niaribuana for personal use (No. 4) will present some difficulty because the
U.N. Single Convention `on Narcotic Drugs requires signatories to establish
criminal sanction's for `possession of Cannabis as that term is defined in `the single
convention. The United States has signed the convention (the attached memo
from Mr. Finlator to' me gives further details on this point).
90-729-68--------5
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30
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE,
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION,
Washinfiton, D.C., December 15, 1967.
Hon. L. H. FOUNTAIN,
Chairman, Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations,
Com,inittee on Uo~ernment Operations,
House of' Representatives, Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. FoUNTAIN: This replies to your letter of December 1, 19'GT, requesting
clarification of certain statements made before your subcommittee on Novein-
ber 14, 19437.
Mr. Roush asked about an article published in the Minneapolis Tribune to the
effect that the Department had been conducting a broad scale investigation of
marihuana aimed at determining whether present restrictions on the use of this
drug and the accompanying criminal penalties should be revised. I said I knew
of no news release from the Department to that effect, pointing out that the green
sheet from which he apparently was quoting was a reprinting of various news
stories about departmental activities. The news story quoted a departmental
spokesman. I said I did not know who the s'pokesman was, and could not comment
on the accuracy of the quote. I said I did not believe the story was accurate,
because I did not consider what had been done to be a broad-sdale investigation.
I did confirm the fact that there bad been a staff study in which I bad
participated, `but said I could not speak for the Department as to all of the
objectives of the study. Certainly one of the essential objectives was to explore
existing knowledge about the drug, patterns of its use, and the needs for further
research. The problem of inconsistent penalties for possession of this hallucinogen
and for the possession o'f LSD' was a part of this.
Ou'r points of view were very fluid as evidenced by the fact that in July we took
the tentative position that the transfer of marihuana control to HEW might
be desirable, but in October, after a discussion with representatives of the
Treasury and Justice Departments, concluded that no recommendations along
these lines would be made and that we would await the Treasury Department's
proposals for legislation to place synthetic maribuana nuder the Marihuana
Tax Act.
I did not consider our July meeting with Dr. Yolles, on a professional basis for
determining research needs, to be a meeting with other departments and agencies,
in `the context of the question asked.
There was a meeting in October with the Treasury and Justice people, in which
Mr. Rankin represented FDA. This was precipitated by a need to consider the
regulatory status of synthetic tetra~hydrocaflnabinal5. Being synthetic, it does
not come under the marihuana tax laws. However, since it is a hallucinogen, it
could be placed under controls of the drug abuse control amendments. This
heightened the anomaly of the disparate penalties'. We concluded that existing
investigational new drug controls would be adequate should the drug be intro-
duced into the United States from Israel, where it has been synthesized. Treasury
and Justice were agreeable to placing it also under the drug abuse control amend-
ments, but Tre~asury indicated an intent to propose legislation to bring the drug
under the Marihuana Tax Act. It was decided to await that propo'sal and its
consideration within the executive branch before making any recommendation to
the Congress, and it was decided not to place this synthetic drug under the drug
abuse control amendments because that might give credence to the belief that our
Department had decided to seek a change in the legal controls over marihuana.
The Department's main interest has centered on research and educational
efforts applicable to marihuana. We have not made a broad-scale investigation
of the penalties for possession of marihuan'a, though we have been concerned
about the existing anomaly between those penalties and the LSD penalties'. and
about the effect any substantial enforcement of the penalties would have on a
great many young people just entering adulthood.
The draft position paper that you have seen was nothing more than an internal
discussion draft. It was not adopted as departmental policy, for the reasons we
have stated.
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31
When I testified on November 14, the Department was not conducting a broad-
scale investigation of the marihuana penalties.
We trust the above information will help Qlarify this matter.
Sincerely yours,
JAMES L. GODDARD, M.D.,
Commissioner of Food and Drags.
Mr. Rotisil. Have you sat down with representatives of these other
departments and agencies at all, at anytime?
Dr. GODDARD. I have not. I would have to check to find out whether
Mr. Rankin has or not.
Mr. ROUSH. I will permit my colleagues to pursue this from now
on.
The gentlelady from New Jersey, Mrs. Dwyer.
Mrs. DWYER. In view of the increase of use of marihuana, do you not
think your statement was unwise?
Dr. GODDARD. I think t'he statement that was attributed to me, the
error was unfortunate.
Mrs. Dwn~R. But do you not think that in view of the increased use
of marihuana, your advocating a review of the laws concerning man-
huana as far as the users are concerned is detrimental at this time?
Dr. GODDARD. No; I think-Mrs. Dwyer, I feel strongly that we do
need to review our policies on all drugs being used.
Mrs. DWYER. But at this time, with this social upheaval, psychologi-
cally, was this not a very unwise statement?
I say this because in my State, there is great turmoil over the state-
ment you were reported to have made. Young people using marihuana
in my State are now saying, well, you see that Dr. Goddard in Wash-
ington said it is not harmful and the law should be changed. They
are misquoting you, of course, but this is going on. I have had people
who are working with youth today, priests and other people, who are
just nonplussed and frustrated because these young people are saying,
don't tell us not to use manihuana; Dr. Goddard says it's all right.
Now, this is not what you said.
Dr. GODDARD. That is right.
Mrs. DWYER. But with what you are now saying, that the law should
be reviewed, and I do not question this as it compares with the lack
of law on LSD, but I do say that, without any agreement among medi-
cal people today, no statement should be made until there is some
meeting of the minds among scientific, medical, and enforcement peo-
ple as to whether the law on marihuana should be changed.
Now, you have disagreement with the medical profession in my
State, including Dr. Kandle, New Jersey's commissioner of health.
Ft is in contradiction to our own State law.
I would say at this time that your statement was very unwise in
view of the increased use of manihuana. You must recognize, Doctor,
that it certainly is a social problem today.
That is all for now.
Mr. ROUSH. Mr. Rosenthal.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. Doctor, the chairman said that he felt what was im-
portant is your position on the use of the drug and the other in-
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32
vestigations that you have suggested. I agree with him. I think that
is important.
But I will tell you frankly that I think the newspaper credibility
gap to `which you fell victim is just as important. It really disturbs me.
Mr. Frandsen, the vice president of UPI, said in his letter to you of
November 2, "I am sorry if UPI has compounded your problems. We
are prepared to carry a dispatch acknowledging our error."
Did they ever carry that dispatch?
Dr. GODDARD. No; I never required them to carry it, because I knew
we were going before Congress and there would be opportunity for
this to be aired. I called Mr. Frandsen and said would you object to
this if I testified before Congress? He said no. I felt we could do a
better job of clarification through the testimony before th~ con-
gressional committee.
`Mr. ROSENTHAL, The FDC report, this pink sheet which you have
given to us, what is that?
Dr. GODDARD. This is a trade publication that comes out every week.
The publisher is Wallace Werble here in Washington, D.C., in the
National Press Building.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. In this he said: "Minneapolis Tribune and Victor
Cohn said, most ~f the stories I've seen misrepresented his (Goddard's)
statements at the University of Minnesota, October 17."
Then he goes on to say that the UPI story was understood to have
come from a student publicity staffer.
In other words, the young lady who gave the story to UPI was an
undergraduate, maybe a student in journalism?
Dr. GODDARD, A stringer; yes, sir.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. And UPI carried that story nationally, a story
`of great import, without ever checking its authenticity with either
the Minneapolis Tribune or with any other newspaper reporter that
was present?
Dr. GODDARD. Or with the source.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. As a result, the task force on crime quoted you
and said a lot of things and a number of my colleagues made state-
ments, all based on the UPI story.
Now, I do not fault them for making these statements if they thought
they were true, and I do not fault the students in Mrs. Dwyer's State
for feeling free to rely on your statement if you said it. But I seriously
fault UPI. You know, they charge us in Government with the cred-
ibility gap.
J think, Mr. chairman, that the vice president of UPI ought to
come here w~ith this young lady and see if he cannot at least get them
to' live up to a level of commitment for speaking openly and accurately
that they can and should expect from Members of Congress and of
the executive branch.
It is distressing that only members of one party-six members of
the opposite party-saw fit to make statements.
Did any Democrats criticize you? `
Dr. GODDARD; Not t& my knowledge, sir.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. Are you a political appointee?
Dr. GODDARD. No, sir; I am a career officer in the Public Health
Service with the rating of Assistant Surgeon General. I am not a
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33
congressional appointee nor a Presidential appointee. I am appointed
by the Secretary of HEW.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. Do you think your position or your effectiveness
in the professional community or before Congress was undermined as
a result of this DPI story?
Dr. GODDARD. I do not believe my effectiveness in the professional
community has been affected. I have had many letters from my col-
leagues who understand what has happened. On the first one, the
answer is "No."
I cannot speak as to my effectiveness before Congress. That remains
yet to be determined. But the committees I have met with so far seem
to have understood what the situation was after the proper docu-
mentation was placed in the record and we had exchanged points of
view.
This does not mean that we are in agreement on every point,
however.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. Did you ever get a letter of apology from this kid
at Minneapolis?
Dr. GODDARD. No, sir.
Mr. ROUSH. What was your answer?
Dr. GODDARD. No, sir.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. I am sensitive to this, because this could happen to
any of us, and frequently does. However, the news people that they
have in Washington, both DPI and others, are responsible and reliable,
National organizations could base a syndicated dispatch on them.
But I think it is very distressing that DPI carried a story of this
import to the Nation, from the head of the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, without checking its background. It was the juvenile reporting
of a juvenile.
I think that they owe you more than a public apology; they owe a
responsibility.
Dr. GODDARD. I understand.
Mr. ROSENTHAL. I think the whole subject of marihuana, as Mrs.
Dwyer has rightly said, is a matter of deep concern to all of us and
to our constituents. We do not want to see statements attributed to you
that you never made.
I only hope that this hearing today clarifies this, but I do think
that DPI in the future should tighten their procedures to make sure
that youngsters do not send stories out on the wire services on matters
of importance such as this.
Thank you, Mr. Cha~irman.
Mr. ROUSH. Mr. Dole.
Mr. DOLE. Thank you.
First of all, Dr. Goddard, I would like to welcome you to the club.
We have all had these problems on both sides of the aisle here, and
I think perhaps we understand, to some extent, what happens. I cer-
tainly trust that there are not any partisan tones in what we have
done on the minority side. In fact, I think we have provided a plat-
form for you to express your views. The letter addressed to Mr.
Fountain, by myself and Congressman Brown and the ranking Re-
publican, Mrs. Dwyer, was not motivated by politics but by an effort
to find out what you did say and did not say and, therefore, clear the
PAGENO="0038"
34
record and, if we could, to inform the public and repair the damage
which may or may not have been done.
I certainly recognize what happens at news conferences, particularly
the one you were involved in-it must have been on the run, apparently.
Dr. GODDARD. It was.
Mr. Doi~n. I can understand that statement might have been mis-
interpreted.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to include my statement in the record at
this point.
Mr. ROUSH. Without objection, it will be included.
(The statement follows:)
~STATBMENT OF HON. ROBERT DoLE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE
STATE OF KANSAS
Mr. Chairman, I joined with Congresswoman Dwyer and Congressman Brown
of Ohio in calling for the present hearings because of my great distress over the
statements made by Dr. Goddard concerning the use of marihuana. I believe
that these hearings will serve a useful purpose if we can find out what Dr God-
dard said, why be said it, and whether his statements are supportable in fact.
The extent to which we can get the word out to the public, preferably through
the words of Dr. Goddard himself, that marihuana is a dangerous drug and
should be left alone, the better off our country will be. Unfortunately this has not
yet been accomplished although Dr. Goddard has twice appeared before other
committees of Congress after our hearings were announced.
Mr. Chairman, I have the highest regard for the qualifications and technical
competence of Dr. Goddard.
Dr. Goddard admits that marihuana is a dangerous drug. Dr. Goddard states
that he does not advocate its use or legalization. Dr. Goddard acknowledges, I
believe, that users of marihuana may develop a psychological dependency for
the drug which, at least in some persons and under some conditions, could well
lead to a serious psychotic state and, perhaps, physical damage. Dr. Goddard
may also concede that the use of maribuana could lead to the use of heroin or
other dangerous drugs such as LSD, amphetamines, and barbiturates. Dr. God-
dard's statements about marihuana and his equating this drug with alcohol un-
doubtedly have the effect of sanctioning its use.
It is certainly admirable and, undoubtedly, essential to advocate change when
one has concluded, based upon facts and reasoned judgment, that old ways and
old beliefs are no longer tenable. It is neither wise nor sound, however, to advocate
change when such is based only on conjecture, guess, and assumption. This is
particularly so when one is dealing with so dangerous a substance as addicting or
habituating drugs and with so impressionable an audience as young people.
The drug problem in the Nation is on the rise-undoubtedly associated with
the increase in social instability and unrest in the country. Each of us should
do all we can to arrest this rise. Education should, of course, help. So should
enforcement of criminal penalties against il]egal manufacture, distribution and
sale. But, it seems to me that penalties against use and possession should also
be continued as a deterrent to experimentation.
Admittedly, existing penalties against use and possession of marihuana have
not totally prevented illicit use. Neither have they in the case of heroin. But, can
it be reasonably argued that such penalties have not bad some beneficial effect?
Have they not aided many parents in discouraging their children from taking
these drugs? And, perhaps of equal importance, can Dr. Goddard establish that
removal of the penalties would not increase the use of marihuana and, thereby,
graduation to even more dangerous drugs? The duty is clearly on Dr. Goddard
to sustain this burden since he is the one advocating the change and, if be
should prove to be wrong, it would not be he who would primarily suffer.
Admittedly, there is no clear scientific proof that a causal relationship exists
between the use of marihuana and that of heroin or other dangerous drugs. But,
many eminent medical authorities attest to such a relationship. Again, Dr. God-
dard would seem to have the burden of proving that the causal factor does not
exist. Because, if he should prove to be wrong, the effect of his statements could
result in increased use-to the detriment of many more persons than he alone.
PAGENO="0039"
35
Admittedly, marihuana may be no more dangerous than alcohol. Yet, insuffi-
cient research has been done on marihuana to substantiate this conclusion. For
all we know, marihuana, and especially its synthetic offspring, may be far more
dangerous than LSD or thalidomide. If that be so, then Dr. Goddard's state-
ments equating marihuana with alcohol in our present social climate could lead
many persons down a far more dismal road than the one Dr. Goddard would
follow.
For these reasons, then, I call upon Dr. Goddard to carefully review his
statements or those attributed to him, and the consequences that they may have
upon the youths of our Nation. He certainly recognizes the potential dangers
contained in such statements and therefore should repudiate them for the welfare
of the country.
Mr. DOLE. In your statement, you indicated what you did not say.
I wonder if you might indicate what you did say?
Dr. GODDARD. Mr. Chairman, may I just in my own words say, the
question came up, Doctor, is marihuana more or less dangerous than
alcohol? That is my recollection of the question.
I said it is dangerous to compare the two drugs, and I started giv-
ing a comparison. Then the fuse blew, and when they asked the ques-
tion again, they said, Doctor, would you rather your daughter smoked
marihuana or drank a cocktail?
I said I would not want my daughter or anybody else's daughter
to smoke pot, because we do not know what the long-term effects are;
I would not in view of the current legal context, and certainly because
it is too dangerous in that it alters one's perception of reality, or if
you drive a vehicle or operate heavy equipment, it is very dangerous.
That is what I did say that got mixed up in the story.
Mrs. Dwyi~n. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. DOLE. Yes.
Mrs. DWYER. It occurs to me that perhaps you might have said at
the press conference in Minneapolis what you have said in your state-
ment about marihuana, and I want to read this paragraph:
The most common reaction to marihuana is development of a state of mind in
which ideas seem disconnected, uncontrolled, and freely flowing. Perception is
disturbed, minutes seem to be hours and seconds seem to be minutes. Space may
be broadened and near objects may appear far away. When large doses are used,
doses generally heavier than normally used in this country, extremely vivid
hallucinations may occur. With such large doses, panic and the fear of death
may make the experience highly unpleasant.
Would it not have been wise for you to have told these young stu-
dents some of the harmful effects of marihuana?
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, I would have to say it would have been wise in
retrospect. At the time, I was asked, however, to compare alcohol and
marihuana. I was trying to do so and be responsive to the question
asked.
Mrs. DwYER, With the increased use of marihuana, it does seem
to me that a statement of this nature to young people would have
been very effective, especially coming from a man as respected as you
are in the medical community.
Thank you, Mr. Dole.
Mr. DOLE. In Mr. Frandsen's letter, he indicates that Mr. Cohn
asked whether you would mind if your daughter smoked marihuana,
and you replied, "No, except in the context of the present law."
I am not certain what you meant by that, but under the present law,
there are penalties for possession of marihuana and not penalties for
possession of drugs under FDA's jurisdiction.
PAGENO="0040"
36
Dr. GODDARD. Yes, Mr. Dole. In fact, I have already added to the
record an expansion of what Mr. Cohn did say as reported by the
Pink Sheet after they called Mr. Cohn in Minneapolis and said, what
did Dr. Goddard say out there?
Mr. Cohn said, well, he did qualify his remarks in answer to that
question. It was not only not in the context of the present law, but
also because we do not know the long-term effects and also, because
it is dangerous to use if you are going to drive a vehicle or operate
heavy equipment.
That is also part of the record, so Mr. Cohn did recognize that I
made such a statement.
Mr. Dou~. I know from reading the record before the Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee and from your testimony here,
that you have already touched upon this matter. All we are trying to
find out is what the facts are and point out to the public that man-
huana is dangerous and alcohol is, too, as far as that is concerii~ed,
and not choose up sides on which you prefer.
But I think the record indicates that as far as you are concerned,
criminal penalties for possession of marihuana have not been a deter-
rent. Is that a fair statement?
Dr. GODDARD. That is correct.
Mr. DOLE. TherefOre, rather than tightening penalties for other
drugs, you feel perhaps we should eliminate or reduce penalties for
marihuana, is that it?
Dr. GODDARD. I am asking that they be reevaluated, re-reviewed in
the context of what is happening in our society.
Mr. DOLE. I believe many of us believe we are living in a permis-
sive society and this is in large part responsible for the breakdown
of law and order and respect and everything else. I hope you are not
suggesting that it become a matter of permissiveness, say take it or
leave 1tr
Dr. GODDARD. Every effort should be made to control marihuana,
Mr. Dole. I have made this point a number of times I am not saying
we should legalize, but as a representative of the Department that is
broadly concerned with juvenile delinquency, I cannot help but ex-
press concern for the heavy penalties for use of this drug, the use of
whièh is increasing. I cited statistics for one State to show what was
happening in that particular State. If you read the record before the
other committee, you will recall there was a 140-percent increase in
areas of juveniles in 1 year.
All I have to ask is what price are we attaching to this as far as
the future cost to society by making felons of these people, by arrest-
ing juveniles, whether they actually technically become felons or not?
Do we not tend to cast them in the role of involvement with drugs for
the rest of their lives, involvement with criminals? Now, are there not
better ways of getting at this particular problem? Is this not what the
Congress was recognizing in the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation
Act when it passed it? This is a complicated and difficult problem.
But make no mistake, we are not advocating the free use of marihuana
or lack of control.
Mr. DOLE. Do you have any estimate of the total percentage of users
of all these drugs, LSD, or barbiturates or marihuana in America to-
PAGENO="0041"
37
day? Have you made any surveys on what percent of the people use
one type of drug or another?
Do they go from marihuana to opium or marihuana to heroin? Do
they all start with marihuana?
Dr. GODDARD. Let me answer your first question. Such studies as
you are talking about are very difficult to do because the respondents
are fearful of indicating their involvement with something that is dis-
approved by society. Estimates on marihuana usage alone indicate
that as many as 20 million people in our society have used the drug.
Now, that is 10 percent. Estimates on college campuses vary, depend-
ing on the source and depending on the campus. Up to 25 percent of
the students on one campus were reported as having abused drugs,
period. This is all kinds-LSD, marihuana, amphetamines, et cetera.
Now, on other campuses, the estimates are lower and there is great
variation. So we are hard pressed to have good detailed, precise knowl-
edge. But we know it is a major problem.
Just the number of dosage units seized last year by BDAC alone,
over 570 million dosage units were seized by our agents in the bar-
biturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens classes of drugs. My predeces-
sor estimated at one time that half of the 10-billion dosage units manu-
factured for legal purposes in stimulants and depressants were being
diverted to the illicit trade. This alone would indicate a tremendous
magnitude of the problem of drug abuse in our society.
Now, as to whether or not individuals who are heroin addicts have
all started on marihuana or not, the answer is "No," they have not all.
There are clear differences. We tend to talk of the extremes, that man-
huana never leads to heroin addiction or that it always does. The
answer is somewhere in between these extremes. Studies that have been
carried out by the Lexington Center for Narcotics Addiction as oper-
ated by the Public Health Service on their total admisthons for 1 year-
I think it was approximately 2,200. One study made where addiction is
prevalent in 16 States and in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
shows 80 percent of those individuals started on marihuana and they
tended to start on marihuana at roughly age 17; at 18.7 years mean
age, they were arrested. At age 20.9, they started on heroin for the
first time.
Now, in the 12 Southern States we have different patterns of addic-
tion, none of them started with marihuana. They started with opiates,
mainly morphine, Dilaudid, these kinds of derivatives and they started
at an older age. So there are different patterns.
Mr. DOLE. It may be a question of availability.
Dr. GODDARD. That is the point. This is what we are trying to get at,
control, reduce the availability. You see, but it is more than just
availability that differentiates these patterns. It is the whole social
structure in which drug abuse occurs. There is not the drug subculture
in the Southern cities of the nature that occurs in these major metro-
politan centers where they tend to gather and congregate as teenagers
and become involved with drugs that can be abused.
They may start with airplane glue, you see, at a very young age
in some of these neighborhoods, as you know, Mrs. Dwyer. It is a
problem.
How do you get to them? You have to educate them. You have to
carry out research to understand what the problem is, both sociological
PAGENO="0042"
38
and medical. You also have to carry out enforcement. This is neces-
sary. It is important that the enforcement officials of our country
have good programs and reduce the availability.
But all of these things have to go on concommitantly. It is not one
thing only that will solve the problem. In fact, in the long run, educa-
tion may be the only meaningful answer to the problem.
Mr. DOLE. With specific reference to California, you cited the
figures on the increase in arrests. Do you know for a fact whether this
shows increase in the use of drugs or better law enforcement?
Dr. GODDARD. I have pointed out that better law enforcement or
more arrests may certainly be a factor, just a tighter approach to
enforcement may be involved. But I do not think there is any dis-
agreement that there is a marked increase in usage all over the
country. This is reflected in the stories that come in on the press
every day. In this morning's New York Times, 63 were arrested in
a Connecticut town, teenagers.
Mr. DOLE. With reference to California again, a total increase of
28,000 adult arrests in California. Do you know how many were for
use and possession as opposed to manufacture or possession with intent
to sell?
Dr. GODDARD. I would have to obtain that for you. In maribuana,
most of those are for possession.
Mr. DOLE. The same with reference to juveniles in the State of
California.
Dr. GODDARD. Those were possession arrests, the vast majority of
them.
(The material referred to follows:)
1966 DRUG ARRESTS IN CALIFORNIA
A PRELIMINARY SURVEY
Data shown in this report are subject to modification by additional arrest
information received prior to formal publication in the annual report Drug
Arrests and Dispositions in California.
ADULT ARRESTS
The 1966 total of 28,319 adult drug arrests is the highest annual arrest figure
recorded by the Bureau of Criminal Statistics to date; this figure exceeds the
year earlier total by 32.1 percent. Maribuana offenses accounted for approxi-
mately one-half of the 1966 arrests and showed a 71-percent increase over those
reported during 1965. Arrests for "heroin and other narcotics" increased by
about 11 percent while arrests for "narcotic addict or user" increased by 6 per-
cent. Dangerous drug arrests showed a 4-percent gain.
Neither Los Angeles County nor the remainder of the State conformed too
closely to the statewide averages. Arrests for "narcotic addict or user" increased
by 18 percent in Los Angeles County but decreased by 23 percent in the rest
of the State. The converse was true for dangerous drug offenses which increased
by 14 percent in Los Angeles County while exhibiting an increase of 33 percent in
the other counties.
In 1966 about 59 percent of the adult arrests occurred in Los Angeles County,
as compared with 62 percent recorded in 1965, and 68 percent in 1960.
There were 16,820 adult arrests reported by Los Angeles County in 1966; San
Diego County reported 2,708; San Francisco County 2,187; and Alameda County
1,469. These four counties alone accounted for 82 percent of the total arrests.
The total of 28,319 adult arrests involved 24,244 individuals. Of the arrests,
16,051 (57 percent) represented persons who were new to the drug file. Relatively
few of the new offenders were involved with heroin-about 10 percent. This was
in sharp contrast to marihuana, which accounted for over 60 percent of the new
subjects. Of the 14,293 adult marihuana arrests during the year, 9,819 involved
persons new to the study.
PAGENO="0043"
39
About 38 percent of the subjects arrested were under some form of probation
or parole supervision at the time of arrest, 6 percent (1,716) were on parole
from the department of corrections and 1,751, roughly the same proportion, from
the California Youth Authority. Less than 3 percent were on parole from the
California Rehabilitation Center. Approximately 20 percent were under adult
probation supervision.
Because these percentages are based on arrests, some of them multiple, they
should be regarded as indications rather than as exact determinations.
JUVENILE ARRESTS
Juvenile arrests rose from 2,691 in 1965 to 5,034, an increase of 87 percent.
Los Angeles County reported 3,189, or 63.3 percent of the total. In the other
leading counties, Alameda County registered 205 such arrests; San Diego County
253; Orange County 251; and San Francisco 167. San Mateo and Santa Clara
counties reported 144 and 126, respectively.
The youth drug problem revolved around marihuana (3,869 arrests) and
dangerous drugs (808 arrests). Together, these two offense groups account for
95 percent of juvenile arrests on drug charges. One hundred and nine ~rrests
in 1966 compared with 60 in 1965 involved the possession, sale or use of ileroin
and other narcotics.
Age 17 appears to be the critical year for youths arrested for drug usage. Those
born in 1949 (age 17) made up 40 percent of the total; combined with those born
in 1950, the two groups accounted for 63.8 percent of all juvenile arrestees.
SUMMARY
Total adult drug arrests were 32 percent higher in 1966 than in 1965. Adult
marihuana arrests increased by 71 percent over 1965 and were more than three
times greater than the number reported in 1960.
Juvenile drug arrests increased in number from 2,601 in 1965 to 5,034 in 1966-
an increase of about 87 percent. Juvenile marihuana arrests increased from
1,623 to 3,869, or 140 percent.
TABLE 1-ADULT DRUG ARRESTS REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES JANUARY 1960
THROUGH DECEMBER 1966 (PROVISIONAL)
State less Los Angeles
County 5,660
Iviarihuana 1,445
Heroin and other narcotics 700
Narcotic addict or user' 1,630
Dangerous drugs' 1,067
Other offenses 2 818
IBy offense, area of State and year of arrest)
Area and offense
--
1960 1961
Year
Percent
of arrest change
1966 over
1963 1964 1965 1966 1965
Percent
change
1966 over
1960
1962
Statewide 17,619
16,925
16,250
16,728
19,244
21,444
28,319
32.1
60.7
Marihuana 4,098
Heroin and other narcotics 2,244
Narcotic addict or user I 6, 401
Dangerous drugs 1 3, 305
Other offenses 2 1, 571
3,305
1,971
5,801
4,322
1, 526
3,291
1,971
3, 532
5, 578
1, 878
4,677
2,206
3,226
4, 415
2,204
6, 055
2,601
4, 073
4, 595
1,920
8,349
2,362
3, 473
5,916
1, 344
14,293
2,610
3,695
6, 093
1,628
71. 2 -
10. 5
6. 4
3. 0
21. 1
248.8
16. 3
-42. 3
84. 4
3. 6
Los Angeles County 11,959
11,604 10,200
10,042
11,671
13,39416,820
25.6
40.6
Marihuana 2,653 2,316 2,256 3,161 3,964 5,327 8,600 61.4 224.1
Heroin and other narcotics 1, 544 1, 302 1, 187 1, 355 1,470 1, 254 1, 416 12. 9 -8. 3
Narcotic addict or user 1 4, 771 4, 193 2,204 2, 014 2,830 2, 501 2,942 17. 6 -38. 3
Dangerous drugs ` 2,238 3, 013 3, 742 2, 645 2,864 3, 779 3,253 -13. 9 45. 4
Otheroffenses2 753 780 811 867 543 533 609 14.3 -19.1
5, 321 6, 050 6,686 7, 573 8, 050 11, 499 42. 8 103. 2
989 1,035 1,516 2,091 3,022 5,693 88.4 294.0
669 784 851 1,131 1,108 1,194 7.8 70.6
1,608 1,328 1,212 1,243 972 753 -22.5 53.8
1, 309 1, 836 1, 770 1,731 2, 137 2,840 32. 9 166. 2
746 1,067 1,337 1,377 811 1,019 25.6 24.6
`Includes driving under the influence of narcotics or dangerous drugs.
2 "Other offenses" include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc. Prior to 1965 driving
offenses and all Federal violations were included. Beginning with 1965, Federal violations are shown under the more
descriptive offense groups wherever appropriate.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
PAGENO="0044"
40
TABLE 2-ADULT DRUG ARRESTS REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, 1966
(PROVISIONAL)
rArea of State and county, by offensej
Heroin and Narcotic Dangerous Other
County Total Marihuana other addict- drugs I offenses
narcotics user1
Statewide 28,319 14,293 2, 610 3, 695 6, 093 1, 628
Los Angeles 16,820 8,600 1,416 2,942 3,253 609
San Francisco 2, 187 828 375 110 580 294
Alameda 1,469 860 130 126 249 104
Imperial 174 63 45 12 28 26
Kern 91 34 6 41 10
Orange 1,305 771 57 123 294 60
Riverside 309 162 22 14 88 23
San Bernardino 347 155 38 35 94 25
San Diego 2,708 1,202 232 74 981 219
San Luis Obispo 39 28 1 4 6
Santa Barbara 173 115 10 12 14 22
Ventura 295 133 42 66 42 12
Contra Costa 338 208 27 13 53 37
Mann 78 59 5 2 5 7
San Mateo 258 142 13 21 56 26
Santa Clara 420 252 34 32 67 35
Solano 31 26 2 2 1
Napa 17 12 1 4
Sonoma 100 80 3 1 10 6
Butte 17 8 8 1
Glen 4 1 3
Placer 14 6 2 1 5
Sacramento 258 138 59 17 27 17
Shasta 7 3 2 1 1
Sutter 1 1
Tehama 1 1
Yolo 21 8 5 3 5
Yuba 4 2 2
Fresno 221 86 45 23 30 37
Kings 13 7 1 5
Madera 20 14 4 1 1
Merced 30 24 4 2
San Joaquin 211 58 15 36 98 4
Stanislaus 47 23 3 6 8 7
blare 35 20 1 8 6
Del Norte 11 11
Humbolt 11 4 6 1
Mendocino 11 7 1 2 1
Amador 2 1 1
El Dorado 19 12 1 2 4
Lassen 2 2
Nevada 2 1 1 -
Plumas 2 2
Swkiyou 6 2 1 3
lnyo 3 2 1
Lake 1 1
Mariposa
Mono 19 15 1 1 2
Monterey 101 66 9 11 6 9
San Benito 4 4
Santa Cruz 60 34 3 7 13 3
Tuolumne 2 2
I Includes driving under the influence of narcotics or dangerous drugs.
2 "Other Offenses" include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc. Prior to 1965 driving
offenses and all Federal violations were included. Beginning with 1965, Federal violations are shown under the more
descriptive offense groups wherever appropriate.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
PAGENO="0045"
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PAGENO="0046"
42
TABLE 5-DRUG ARRESTS OF JUVENILES (UNDER 18 YEARS) REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, 1966 (PROVISIONAL) BY COUNTY AND OFFENSE
County Total Marihuana I Heroin and Narcotic Dangerous Other
other narcotics addict-user drugs offenses2
Statewide 5,034 3,869 56 53 898 158
Los Angeles 3,189 / 2,501 33 29 573 53
San Francisco 167 97 5 3 49 13
Alameda 295 253 1 3 28 10
Imperial 14 8 3 2 1
Kern 16 6 10
Orange 251 171 2 1 45 32
Riverside 30 22 1 1 5 1
San Bernardino 35 26 1 7 1
San Diego 253 182 2 2 61 6
San Luis Obispo 6 3 3
Santa Barbara 67 51 1 9 6
Ventura 66 47 3 5 8 3
Contra Costa 72 62 9 1
Mann 67 50 1 9 7
San Mateo 144 122 16 6
Santa Clara 126 96 1 22 7
Solano 2 2
Napa 1 1
Sonoma 32 29 2 1
Sacramonto 37 30 4 1 2
Fresno 17 7 2 7 1
Kings 3 1 2
Merced 7 7
San Joaquin 25 8 1 1 15
Stanislaus 24 22 2
Tulare 8 7 1
Monterey 21 14 4 3
San Benito
Butte 1 1
Glenn 3 3
Shasta 1 1
Sutter 2 1 1
Madera 8 7 1
Humboldt 1 1
Lake 1 1
Mendocino 3 3
nyu 2 2
Santa Cruz 34 27 3 4
Placer 2 2
Yolo 1 1
1 Includes use or under influence of manihuana.
2 "Other offenses" include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc. Prior to 1965 driving offenses
and all Federal violations were included, Beginning with 1965, Federal violations are shown under the more descriptive
offense groups wherever appropriate.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
PAGENO="0047"
43
t,000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
PO~UL~JION
Ot t,ttCsTS
3O~OOO -
If
20,000
j0,j00
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
~,000
3,000
2,000
--~±-------J
)UVENILES - -
~
-
-
-
20
to
03
ST 2ND sr : ~N0 ST 2N0 57 2ND ST 2ND ST 2ND ST 2ND
960 SOt 962 1963 964 965 966
HALF -YCAIN
LoQarithmic Vcrficai Scctle
CHART A.-lirug arrests reported by California law enforcement agencies, 1960
through 1966, by half-year for both adults and juveniles.
PAGENO="0048"
N UMRLR
5,000
0,000
9,000
6,000
7,000
6,000
5,00O
4,000
3,000
2,000
,000
44
964
YEAR OF ARREST
Logaritrm,C Vevtical Scale
CHART B.-AduU drug arrests, 1960 through 1966, by year of arrest and off ense.
966
PAGENO="0049"
45
FIRST-HALF 1967 Dnua ARRESTS IN CALIFORNIA
~& PRELIMINAny SURVEY
The data given in this report are provisional and will be augmented by arrest
information received later in the year. This will cause final figures to exceed
those presented in this report.
ADULT ARRESTS
Adult drug arrests reported to the Bureau of Criminal Statistics in the first
6 months of 1967 totaled 20,t34. In 1966, the comparable figure was 12,787. The
annual increase amounts to 57.5 percent. In relative terms, the greatest compo-
nents of this rise were marihuana offenses, up 94.3 percent; and dangerous drug
arrests, 30.6 percent higher. Arrests for narcotic addiction or use, though up
28.1 percent, are still below the 1961 level. Heroin and other narcotics arrests
increased by 14.9 percent over those reported during the same period in 1966.
For the first time preliminary data on LSD offenses are available. TJnfortu-
nately it is not in pure form because of the requirement that the gravest offense
be given precedence in coding. Thus, marihuana, heroin, and some dangerous drug
offenses would automatically assume the first position on the coding schedule
while LSD would be shown as an element only. The cases in wl~ich LSD was
apparently the sole grounds for arrest accounted for 1.1 percent of the total. The
data indicate that LSD involvement, without regard to the drug offense for which
arrested, was reported in 3.4 percent of adult drug arrests. The drug seems to
be less available in Los Angeles County than in the State. Only 1~4 percent of
the Los Angeles County arrests had LSD as an element, as compared with 5.7
percent in other areas of the State.
The first-half 1967 statistics indicate that Los Angeles County's share of the
drug arrest total continues to decline. In the first half of 1966 Los Angeles
accounted for 60.3 percent of statewide adult arrest; in the same period of 1967,.
for 52.8 percent.
Counties reporting 1,000 or more adult drug arrests were Los Angeles, 10,640;
San Diego, 2,193; San Francisco, 1,568; and Orange, 1,094. Alameda County, with
977 arrests was only slightly less.
Of the 20,134 adult arrests, 12,203, or 60.6 percent, involved offenders who were
previously unreported. In 1866, for comparison, there were 12,787 arrests involv-
ing 6,980 (54.6 percent) new offenders. The greate~t proportions of new sub-
jects for first-half 1967 arrests entered the study files via marihuana (71.7 per-
cent new) and dangerous drugs (64.8 percent new).
The majority of the arrestees (approximately two~thirds) were not under any
form of probation or parole supervision at the time of arrest. This was particu-
larly true as regards marihuana (74.8 percent) and dangerous drug offenses
(68.6 percent). In contrast, only 40 percent of addict-users were not on parole or
probation.
JUVENILE ARRESTS
Juvenile drug arrests rose to 5,735 in the January-June period of 1967 from
2,146 in the like period of 1966. These totals represent an increase of 167.2 per-
cent. Marihuana offenses were up 181.2 percent, and dangerous drugs 89.1 per-
cent. Heroin and addict-user offenses bulked larger than in 1966 but were still
of a minor order of magnitude, with an increase from 33 arrests to 113.
For the first time in the history of the study, Los Angeles County contributed
less than half of the juvenile arrests-48 percent. In 1966, this figure was 66.8
percent. All metropolitan areas of the State show remarkable increases over
1966-Orange County from 87 to 452 (up 419.5 percent), Alameda County from
158 to 437 (up 176.6 percent), San Diego from 93 to 378 (up 306.5 percent), San
Francisco from 44 to 229 (up 420.5 percent), Santa Clara from 71 to 275 (up
287.3 percent),, and Ventura from 23 to 230 (up 782~6 percent). Los Angeles rose
from 1,456 to 2,750, or 88.9 percent, while the balance of the State taken. as a unit.
PAGENO="0050"
46
jumped from 712 to 2,956, or 315 percent. The bulk of the arrests in all these
counties were for marihuana offenses.
LSD-connected arrests among juveniles were about twice the proportion
among adults-6.1 versus 3.4 percent. The apparent LSD-only arrests amounted
to 2.8 percent of the juvenile total. Also, as among adults, the drug appears
to be more prevalent in the non-Los Angeles area of the State than in Los
Angeles County~
SUMMARY
The preliminary 1967 statifftics indicate a marked rise in adult drug arrests
and an even greater increase in juvenile. In both cases the major sources of
the increase were marihuana and dangerous drug violations.
A trend noted in 1906 toward a spread of drug activity (as defined by ar-
rests) to areas of the State outside Los Angeles County is confirmed by first-
half 1967 data which show a continued increase in the non-Los Angeles County
proportion of arrests.
The proportion of new offenders has increased substantially. The primary
offenses in which novice arrestees were involved were maribuana and dan-
gerous drugs.
A preliminary study by the bureau indicates that 1 in 8 marihuana offenders
first arrested in 1960 had become involved with heroin by the end of 1905.
This relationship, not necessarily one of cause and effect, might help explain
the fairly substantial increases noted in heroin-type offenses during the first
half of 1967.
TABLE 1.-ARRESTS OF ADULTS FOR DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, 1960 THROUGH 1967
[Offense by 1st half year arrestj
1st half year arrest Percent Percent
Offense change, change,
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1967 over 1967 over
1966 1960
Total 8, 536 8, 573 8, 599 8, 211 9, 423 11, 146 12, 787 20, 134 57. 5 135.9
Marihuana 2, 194 1,627 1,651 2, 194 2,920 4, 266 5,962 11, 587 94. 3 428. 1
Heroin and other
1,219 1,280 1,471 14.9 35.6
narcotics 1,085 1,067 958 1,026 1,355
Narcotic addict or user. 3, 033 3, 143 2, 303 1, 540 1,945 1, 881 1, 818 2, 328 28. 1 -23. 2
Dangerous drugs 1, 475 1,950 2, 829 2, 363 1,989 3,065 2,915 3, 808 30. 6 158. 2
Otheroffenses1 749 786 858 1,088 1,214 715 812 940 15.8 25.5
1 Other offenses include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc. Prior to 1965 driving offenses
and all Federal violations were included. Beginning with 1965, Federal violations are shown under the more descriptive
offense groups whenever appropriate.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arreSt information is received.
TABLE 2.-ARRESTS OF ADULTS FOR DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, JAN. 1, 1967, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1967
[Offense by month of arresti
Month
Offense Total
January February March
of arrest
-
April May June
Total 20, 134 3, 181 3, 050 3,493 3,299 3,750 3, 361
Marihuana 11,587 1,709 1,684 1,960 1,888 2,254 2,092
Heroin and other narcotics 1, 471 273 234 255 281 244 184
Narcotic addict or user 2,328 432 367 427 404 375 323
Dangerous drugs 3,809 630 601 657 582 719 619
Other offenses1 940 137 164 194 144 158 143
I Other offenses include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
PAGENO="0051"
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PAGENO="0052"
48
TABLE 4.-ARRESTS OF ADULTS FOR DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, JAN. 1, 1967, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1967
IShowing initial arrests and rearrests by offense)
Offense
Total
*
Initial 1
196
-
7 rearrests
Subsequent3
lsta
Total
Marihuana
Heroin and other narcotics
Narcotic addict or user
Dangerous drugs
Other offenses4
20,134
12,203
6,050
1, 881
11,587
1,471
2,328
3, 808
940
8,307
571
437
2,469
419
2,433
706
1, 555
938
418
847
194
336
401
103
1 Individuals appearing for the 1st time since July 1, .1959.
2 1st 1967 arrests of persons who had been previously arrested between July 1, 1959, and Dec. 31, 1966.
a Further arrests of persons who had been arrested at least once before in 1967.
4 Other offenses include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
TABLE 5.-ARRESTS OF ADULTS FOR DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, JAN. 1, 1967, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1967
[Area and offense by parole status)
Area and offense
Total None
Parole status
CYA CRC Other' Unknown.
correc-
tions
Total 20,134 13,663 888 1,112 417 3,816 238
Marihuana 11,587 8,666 179 671 62 1,887 122
Heroin and other narcotics 1,471 891 136 70 57 308 9
Narcotic addictor user 2,328 940 421 142 260 555 10
Dangerous drugs 3,808 2,612 90 185 16 830 75
Other offenses2 - 940 554 62 44 22 236 22
Los Angeles County 10,640 6, 921 588 692 313 2, 052 74
Marihuana 5,966 4,382 93 416 35 1,005 35
Heroin and other narcotics 884 538 77 47 39 182 1
Narcotic addictor user 1,813 709 361 111 221 405 &
Dangerous drugs 1,683 1,116 43 100 9 392 23
Other offenses2 294 176 14 18 9 68 9
State less Los Angeles County 9,494 6, 742 300 420 104 1, 764 164
Marihuana 5,621 4,284 86 255 27 882 87
Heroin and other narcotics 587 353 59 23 18 126 8
Narcotic addict or user 515 231 60 31 39 150 4
Dangerous drugs 2,125 1,496 47 85 7 438 52
Other offenses2 646 378 48 26 13 168 13
1 Other includes county probation, Federal parole or probation, out-of-State parole or probation, and juvenile court
wardship.
2 Other offenses include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
PAGENO="0053"
49
TABLE 6.-ARRESTS OF ADUUtS FOR DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, JAN. 1, 1967, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1967
Total Los Angeles
LSD involvement County
State less Los
Angeles County
Number Percent Number Percent
Number Percent
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
TABLE 7.-DRUG ARRESTS OF JUVENILES (UNDER 18 YEARS) REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, 1960 THROUGH 1967
Offense
lOffense by 1st half-year arrest
Percent
1st half-year arrest change,
1967 over
1960 1 1961 1 1962 1 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1966
Total 728 581 614 651 867 1,501 2,146 5,735 167.2
;Marihuana 290 115 106 228 422 889 1,606 4,526 181.2
Heroin and other narcotics_~ 15 13 9 18 20 15 15 43
Narcotic addict or user .. 56 ~6 26 13 39 23 18 70
Dangerous drugs 241 332 425 315 259 533 466 881 89.1
Other offenses2 126 75 48 77 127 41 41 215
Sale
Possession
Use
Sale and use
Possession and use
Sale and possession
Sale, possession, and use
83 0.4 23 0.2 60 0.6
238 1.2 58 .5 180 L9
201 1.0 39 .4 162 1.7
46 .2 12 .1 34 .4
87 .4 8 .1 79 .8
22 .1 10 .1 12 .1
15 .1 4 11 .1
LSD subtotal 692 -- 3.4 154 1.4 ~ 5.7
No LSD involvement 19, 442 96.6 10, 486 98.6 8,956 94. 3
Total 20, 134 100.0 10, 640 100. 0 9,494 100. 0
O I Estimated from annual total.
2 "Other offenses" include Prescription violators, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc. Prior to 1965 driving
uffenses and all Federal violations were included. Beginning with 1965, Federal violations are shown under tlie more
descriptive offense groups whenever appropriate.
Note: Percentages are not shown wherever subtotals are less than 50.
PAGENO="0054"
50
TABLE 8.-DRUG ARRESTS OF JUVENILES (UNDER 18 YEARS) REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, JAN. 1, 1967, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1967
[County, by offense[
Total ____________________________
Southern California:
Los Angeles
Imperial
Orange
Riverside
San Bernardino
San Diego
Santa Barbara
Ventura
San Francisco Bay:
San Francisco
Alameda
Contra Costa
Mann
Napa
San Mateo
Santa Clara
Solano
Sonoma
San Joaquin Valley:
Fresno
Kern
Kings
Madera
Merced
San Joaquin
Stanislaus
Tulare
Sacramento Valley:
Butte
Colusa
Placer
Sacramento
Setter
Yolo
Yuba
Other counties:
`Del Norte
El Dorado
Humboldt
Lake
Mendocina
Monterey
San Luis Obispo
Santa Cruz
County
Heroin and Narcotic Dangerous Other
Total Marihuana other addict or drugs offenses'
narcotics user
5,735 4,526 43 70 881
215
2,750 2,262 24 31 379 54
26 16 1 9
452 395 40 17
92 73 1 11 7
68 50 1 1 14 2
378 272 3 1 92 10
63 37 1 9 9 7
203 129 2 12 42 18
229 158 1 58 12
437 353 6 4 50 24
108 89 1 17 1
58 36 16 6
2 1 1
139 102 4 22 11
275 215 3 1 48 8
13 13
57 39 2 4 12
21 15 1
19 14
4 4
9 3 2 4
5 5
19 5 1 13
38 35 2 1
19 18 1
3 3
1 1
2 1 I
91 59 3 23 6
13 10 2 1
22 16 6
2 2
1 1
6 5 1
1 1
1 1
5 4 1
48 42
20 17
35 25 8 2
I Other offenses include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
PAGENO="0055"
51
TABLE 9.-DRUG ARRESTS OF JUVENILES (UNDER 18 YEARS) REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, JAN. 1, 1967, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1967
(Offense, by year of birthJ
Offense Total 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
Total 5,735 1,850 2, 019 1, 164 516 152 34
Marihuana 4,526 1,466 1,617 914 397 108 24
Heroin and other narcotics 43 17 16 5 5
Narcotic addict or user 70 28 22 13 5 1 1
Dangerous drugs 881 270 293 181 93 35 9
Other offenses' 215 69 71 51 16 8
I Other offenses include prescription violations, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, etc.
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
TABLE 10.-DRUG ARRESTS OF JUVENILES (UNDER 18 YEARS) REPORTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES JAN. 1, 1967, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1967
(LSD involvement by area of Statej
Total Los Angel
LSD involvement
es County
State less Los Angeles
County
Number Percent Number
Percent
- Number Percent
Sale 29 0.5 12 0.4 17 0.6
Possession 49 .9 16 .6 33 1.1
Use 210 3.7 48 1.8 162 5.4
Sale and use 19 .3 4 .2 15 .5
Possession and use 39 . 7 9 . 3 30 1,0
Sale and possession 3 .1 1 2 .1
Sale, possession, and use 1 1
LSD subtotal 350 6. 1 90 3. 3 260 8. 7
No LSD involvement 5, 385 93. 9 2, 660 96. 7 2, 725 91.3
Total 5,735 100.0 2,750 100.0 2,985 100.0
Note: Data are subject to change as additional arrest information is received.
PAGENO="0056"
NUMBER
52
F
~0,000
20,000
I 0,000~
~p0o
.2,000
1)000
500
00
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ER
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1OR USER ~- ,-IOHER NM~.J
J. ~
~
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1st
~nd
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.jI
2nd
CHART A.-Adu~t dritg arrests reporteZ by California law enforcement agencies,
1965 through 1967, offense by half-year arrested.
PAGENO="0057"
53
CuAi~T B.-Arrest8 01 juveniles (under 18 years) reported by California law
enforcement auencies, 1965 tl&rough 1967, offense by half-year arrested.
PAGENO="0058"
54
Mr. DOLE. How many arrests do you think they might have had if
we had no penalty for possession?
Dr. GODDARD. I have no way of knowing that. I do not think anyone
could know that.
Mr. DOLE. Or how many people may have used it.
Well, I would say as I said at the outset, certainly it is not my pur-
pose or that of anyone I know of to have a trial of Dr. Goddard. This
is not the intent. But as Mrs. Dwyer has pointed out and as the acting
chairman has pointed out, the statements made or attributed to you
have caused some widespread anxiety in Kansas and New Jersey and
Indiana and all across the country. I happened to have an opportunity
to witness the "Today Show" and I heard your statement and I heard
Dr. Baird indicate that those who did not understand some of the
technical problems probably should not be discussing the pros and cons
of equating alcohol with marthuana. In other words, both are danger-
ous. Both have different effects physiologically that we do not en-
tirely understand.
But I would say in conclusion that I do not condemn Miss Vick. I
am not certain of her politics, but I would not condemn her in either
case. I think perhaps if United Press International has made a mis-
take, that is their problem. I do not condemn them either, because I
would rather condemn someone else if I were to do that.
Thank you.
Dr. GODDARD. Thank you.
Mr. ROUSH. Dr. Goddard, we are grateful for your appearance here
this morning. However, the time has arrived when the House has to
into session and we are going to have to stop. There may be certain
questions propounded by mail on the part of committee members and
the staff members and we hope that you would respond.
Dr. GODDARD. We would be happy to.
Mr. Rousii. The committee is recessed.
(Whereupon, at 10 a.m., `the subcommittee was recessed, `to reconvene
tomorrow, Wednesday, November 15, 1967, at 11 `a.m.)
PAGENO="0059"
PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE CONTROL OF
MARIHIJANA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1967
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,
Wa$hington, D.C.
The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m., in room
2203, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. J. Edward Roush, pre-
siding.
Present: Representatives J. Edward Roush, Florence P. Dwyer,
`and Robert Dole.
Professional staff present: James R. Naughton, W. Donald Gray,
and Deiphis C. Goldberg, Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee;
and William H. Copenhaver, minority staff, Committee on Govern-
ment Operations.
Mr. ROUSH. The committee will be in order. Let the record show
that a quorum is present. I am J. Edward Roush, member of the sub-
committee. The Chairman, Mr. Fountain, is unable to be here because
of his official duties as delegate to the United Nations; so I will be
presiding this morning.
I call your attention also to the fact that the House goes into session
atli.
This morning the subcommittee will continue its hearings on prob-
lems relating to the control of marihuana. Yesterday we heard the
Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Dr. James L. Goddard.
Our witness this morning is Mr. Henry L. Giordano, the Com-
missioner of Narcotics, whose Bureau is responsible for enforcing the
`laws relating to marihuana.
Mr. Giordano, we are happy to `have you with us this morning, and
ivill you please introduce your associate. You may then proceed with
your statement unless Mrs. Dwyer has a statement to make.
Mr. GIORDANO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Henry L.
Oiordano, Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, and
on my right is Mr. Donald F. Miller, the Chief Counsel of the Bureau
of Narcotics. I `have a prepared statement, Mr. Chairman, I would
like to give at this time.
Mr. ROUSH. You may proceed.
(55)
PAGENO="0060"
56
STATEMENT OP BENRY L GIORDANO', CO1VIMISISIONER OP NAR~
COTICS, BUREAU OP NARCOTICS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OP TREAS-
URY; ACCOMPANIED BY DONALD E. MILLER, CHIEP COUNSEL,
BUREAU OP NARCOTICS
Mr. GIORDANO. Mr. Chairman, and distinguished members of the
committee, I want to first thank you for giving me the opportunity of
coming here today to discuss some of the aspects of the marihuana
problem.
We are all concerned over what appears to be a growing national
problem `of drug abuse, which is expressed every day in newspapers,
magazines, scientific journals, public forums, and in the home. This is
particularly true respecting marihuana and the other hallucinogenic
drugs.
In the past, most drug abusers in the United States were in the
lower social and economic levels of our society. This is still largely
true with respect to the natural derivatives of opium, such as heroin
and morphine, as well as cocaine. To some extent, it is also true con-
cerning marihuana.
Notwithstanding the statements of alarmists, I believe that only a
small percentage of Americans-on an absolute basis-are currently
abusing marihuana. It is the changing pattern of abuse that seems
to be causing so much concern. Marihuana is moving in the suburbs,
and into the middle and upper strata of our society.
At this point, I `think it would be beneficial to explain what is in-~
cluded in the definition of "marihuana." The term embraces all of the
technical and vernacular names, such as "cannabis," "hashish,"~
"ganja," "charas," "pot," "tea," "weed," and the "tetrahydrocan-
nabinols," the latter being designated as "THO." It is true that there
are varying degrees of marihuana potency, ranging from innocuous
effects of poorly harvested substances, to the severe effects of hashish,
and to the powerful properties of THC, which can cause psychotic
reactions in almost any individual.
As requested by your staff, I shall furnish you a description of the
Federal marihuana controls. The prevailing philosophy in the Unitedt
States is based on the premise that it is better for persons to function
without resorting to the use of a drug so dangerous as marihuana.
Abuse of the drug has been considered to be a major social threat by
legislators, who `have enacted and have retained the Marihuana Tax
Act of 1937 (the primary Federal control).
The Marihuana Tax Act requires all persons with legitimate need
to handle marihuana to register each year with the appropriate Dis-
trict Director of Internal Revenue and pay a graduated occupational
tax depending on the activity; it requires that all marihuana transac-
tions be recorded on official order forms provided for that purpose
by the Internal Revenue Service; it makes transfers to a registered
PAGENO="0061"
57
person subject to a tax of $1 an ounce or fraction thereof, and makes
transfers to an unregistered person subject to a prohibitive tax of $100
an ounce or fraction thereof.
In determining what persons may become registered auci make pay-
ment of the occupational tax, the regulatory scheme requires as a coii-
dition precedent that the applicant be qualified to engage in the activ-
ity according to the applicable State provisions where he intends to
carry on the activities. A typical street peddler could not, for example,
become registered under the Marihuana Tax Act and make payment
of the special tax, since the responsible State licensing agencies ~vould
refuse to certify that such a person is authorized under State laws to
engage in that activity. On the other hand, licensed physicians, regis-
tered pharmacists, or a bona fide scientific researcher can become reg-
istered, Briefly, the Marihuana Tax Act is designed to make extremely
difficult the acquisition of marihuana, and to restrict its use to medical
and scientific purposes only.
The penalties for marihuana violations have been reviewed by Con-
gress three times. In 1951, the penalties were increased, and in 1956,
Congress decided that even more stringent sentences should be imposed
on violators. Again in 1966, incident to enactment of the Narcotic
Addict Rehabilitation Act, Congress took another look at the penalties.
The only change made by Congress at that time was to restore the
provisions of parole to all marihuana violators, including those already
under sentence.
The penalties for violation of the Marihuana Tax Act in 26 U.S.C.
7237 are as follows:
Acquiring marihuana without having paid the transfer tax (com-
monly known as "possession") is punishable for the first offense by a
sentence of not less than 2 years, or more than 10 years, imprisonment;
for a second offense the offender shall be sentenced to not less than
5 years, or more than 20 years, imprisonment; and for a third offense
the offender shall be sentenced to not less than 10 years, or more than
40 years' imprisonment. In addition, all offenders may be fined $20,000,
or that is, any sum up to $20,000,
Sale of marihuana without receiving an official order form is pun-
ishable for the first offense by a sentence of not less than 5 years' or
more than 20 years' imprisonment; for a second offense the offender
shall be sentenced to not less than 10 years' or more than 40 years' im-
prisonment. If the sale is to a person under the age of 18 years~ even
in the case of a first offense, the offender shall be sentenced to not less
than 10 years or more than 40 years. In addition, all offenders may be
fined $20,000. All offenders, both for sale or for possession, are eligible
for parole.
I am not saying that the constraining measures will ever accomplish
the desired result of preventing all marihuana abuse, but I hate to
think of what the problem might have been today if there had been
no marihuana controls. In today's ever-growing hedonistic society, it is
obvious the results would have been disastrous.
PAGENO="0062"
58
The penalties of the Marihuana Tax Act are frequently criticized.
However, I find that most of the criticism is either by persons who are
not fully informed, or by persons who want to legalize possession of
marihuana. When properly analyzed, the penalties for possession
under the Marihuana Tax Act are not really a matter of significant
concern, in view of the enforcement and prosecutive policies of the
Federal Government and the other procedures available to persons
who are prosecuted under the act.
First, the Bureau of Narcotics' endeavors to apply the act against
traffickers only. Our practice is to gain evidence by making purchases
of marihuana whenever possible. In 1966, we presented a total of 423
marihuana violators to various U.S. attorneys for prosecution; 3O~
were for sales offenses, and 114 were for possession offenses. The typical
violator was almost 29 years old; he either sold or possessed over a.
pound of marihuana; he was not a student; and he had a prior crim-
inal record in 60 percent of the cases.
Second, the Department of Justice has directed that charges carry-
ing mandatory penalties may be filed only against persons having
prior felony convictions, when the violation involves smuggling, or
when the person is an important trafficker.
Aside from this, all persons under the age of 18 years are treated
as juvenile delinquents, and not subjected to the regular marihuana
penalties. Also, the provisions of the Federal Youth Corrections Act
are available to all persons over 18 years but under 22 years old. Addi-
tionally, many persons over 22 years but under 26 years old are eligible
for special handling under the Federal Youth Corrections Act. Thus,.
the probability of a college student who possesses a marihuana ciga-
rette being subjected to mandatory penalties of the act is absolutely
nil.
Why make possession a violation of law? The basic reason is that
the punishment provisions deter use by countless reasonable and re-
sponsible persons. This, consequently, sets up a barrier to proselytizing.
Concern for public safety, health, and welfare requires that there must
be restrictions on persons to prevent them from having unauthorized
possession of inarihuana. Otherwise, we would be condoning potential
sources of supply and proselytizing, which would defeat the very
purpose of our attempts to control abuse of marihuana. We can make
one generalization: Marihuana abuse spreads from person to person-
the users who possess marihuana are the ones who breed new users.
By restricting possession, we are better able to reduce the availability
of marihuana to many persons who might otherwise come in contact
with the drug through a friend or acquaintance. If there is no criminal
sanction against possessing marihuana, many people will regard this
as tacit approval of its use.
PAGENO="0063"
59
Furthermore, on June 24, 1967, the United States acceded to the 1961
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, a treaty which has been adopted
by 59 other nations. Under the treaty, marihuana is subject to even more
stringent controls than morphine. It is included in a category with
heroin and two other extremely potent narcotic drugs, recommending
special controls to prohibit its production, distribution, possession, and
use except for research purposes. The treaty requires imposition of
criminal penalties for possession. Failure to continue to provide such
penalties for possession would be a violation of our treaty obligation.
In my experience of 27 years enforcing the marihuana laws, and
from reviewing the studies which have been conducted in this country,
and in countries having widespread chronic abuse of marihuana for
centuries, I have concluded it is definitely a dangerous drug with
potentials for far-reaching damage to individuals and to society.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If you have further questions, I shall be
happy to answer them ~as fully as possible.
Mr. Rousn. Mr. Giordano, you said that you believed only a small
percentage of Americans are currently abusing marihuana and that
much of the present concern is caused by the changing pattern of the
abuse which shows marihuana moving into the suburbs and into the
middle and upper strata of our society. Do you have statistics or
studies to document this statement?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. Well, our investigations have shown the marihuana
problem to be developing around the various colleges of the United
States, and in this respect we are moving into a different type of an
individual than we had involved before. However, even in this area
usually the beatnik type or the hippie type or the dropout type is
involved.
Mr. RousH. The question was, Have you assembled statistics or
studies which reflect this point of view or which tend to verify the
accuracy of your statement?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. We don't have the statistics as such. As I say, all we
have are the reports furnished to us by our supervisors.
Mr. RousH. Don't you assemble those reports into statistical reports
of some sort or other?
Mr. GIoI~DANo. Well, we have reports in the Bureau on this. I don't
have them available, not in a numerical form; but we do have some
statistics here, which will be furnished, which indicate occupations
of the individual and so forth, which we will furnish.
Mr. ROUSH. We will be glad to receive that for the record unless
there is objection.
(The material referred to follows:)
PAGENO="0064"
60
Jfarihua~na violators reported to the UfS~. attorneys by the U.s. Burean of
Narcotics during calenda'r year 1966
Possession offenders:
Total violators reported - 114
Age:
Under 18..
l8yea'rsold 4
19 years oid 3
2Oyearsold 7
21 to 25 years old 35
26to3Oyearsold 28
Over 30 years old 37
Average age: 28.9
Claimed occupation or avocation:
Skilled workers - 38
Clerical-administrative 18
Unskilled laborers 15
Salesman 11
Job Corps 6
Entertainer 7
Student 8
Military 3
Other (`includes' unknown) 8
Quantity of marihuana involved per case:
Over 1 kilogram 25
1/2 to 1 kilogram 6
1 gram to ~/2 kilogram 31
Under 1 gram 3
Median weight: About 1 pound
Average weight: About 9 kilograms
Prior criminal record:
Yes (54.4 percent) 62'
No 52
Prosecution action:
Pending 42
Dispositions:
Dismissed 28
Acquitted 4
Convicted 40
sentenced under FYCA' 9
Received suspended sentence and/or prohation_~ 17
Reduced from offense calling for mandatory penalty.. 14
Sentence to `be served in prison 14
90 days 1
2 years 4
3 years .~ 2
5 years 6
10 years 1
A~erage selitence of imprIsonment (46.5 months)
1J3'ederal Youth Corrections Act prescribes an Indeterminate term.
Profile of possessor.-28.9 years of age; resides In a large urban area; claims
40 be a skilled or administrative worker; is not a student (only two students were
sentenced to Imprisonment); receives a prison sentence of 47 months; has a
64 percent ehanice of offense being reduced to one not calling for mandatory
~penalty; has 43 percent chance of receiving a suspended sentence and/or pro-
bation; has a 65 percent chance of receiving sentence not requiring imprison-
inent; has only a 15 percent chance of receiving a 5-year or more minimum
~mandatory sentence; and is eligible for release on parole.
PAGENO="0065"
61
Marihuana violators reported to the U.S~. attorneys by the US'. Burean of
Narcotics during calendar year 1966
Sale offenders:
Total violators reported 309
Age:
Under 18
18 years old
19 years old 14
20 years old 20
21 to 25 years old 105
26 to 30 years old - 59
Over 30 years old 102
Average age (28.5)
Claimed occupation or avocation:
Skilled workers 112
Clerical-administrative 37
Unskilled laborers 69
Salesman ii
Job Corps
Entertainer 15
Student 18
Military
Other (includes unknown) 39
Quantity of marihuana involved per case:
Over 1 kilogram 91
`/2 to 1 kilogram 25
1 gram to `/2 kilogram 71
Under 1 gram - 1
Median weight: almost 1 kilogram
Average weight: almost 6 kilograms
Prior criminal record:
Yes (66 percent) 204
No 105
Prosecution action:
Pending 70
Dispositions:
Dismissed 24
Acquitted
Convicted 212
Sentenced under PYCA.1 22
Received suspended sentence and/or probation 71
Reduced from offense calling for mandatory penalty. 79
Sei~tence to be sierve4 in prison 119
Q moath~ 13
1 year
2 years 15
3 years 9
4 years 2
5 years
6 years 1
7 years
7~/2 years 1
8 years__~ 1
10 years
12 years 1
Average sentence of imprisonment (50.3 months)
1 Federal Youth Corrections Act prescribes an Indeterminate term.
Profile of refler,-28.5 year.s of age; resides in large `uitan area; `claims to' be a
skilled or administrative worker; is not a student (only two students were sen-
tenced to imprisonment); received a prison sentence of 50 months; has a 53 per-
cent chance of offense being reduced to dne not calling for a mandatory penalty;
has a 34 percent chance of receiving a suspended sentence and/or probation; has
a 44 percent chance of receiving a sentence not requiring imprisonment; has a 29
percent chance of receiving a 5 year or more minimum mandatory sentence; and
is eligible for release on parole.
PAGENO="0066"
62
Mr. ROtISH. I notice you talk of Americans abusing murihuana. Is
there a difference between abusing marihuana and using marihuana? I
can see a difference in the case of certain other drugs where the use of it
may be necessary for medicinal purposes or the like, but in the case of
marihuana I am wondering, in my own mind, if there is a difference
between abusing and using.
Mr. GIORDANO. Well, marihuana at one time was used in medicine. It
was determined at the `time the Marihuana Tax Act was passed that its
use in medicine was practically negligible. It was not much benefit, so
the medical profession has not been utilizing marihuana as such in
medicine. However, it is still being researched, so the use of marihuana
in this context for research would be a bona flde use as opposed to peo-
ple using it or abusing it for their own pleasure.
Mr. Rousn. You gave us in your testimony a fairly detailed descrip-
tion of the penalties applicable to the illegal sale and to the illegal
possession of marihuana. As you know, certain people including our
witness yesterday, Dr. Goddard, are of the position that the penalty
for simpie possession of marihuana is too stringent because, they say, it
makes felons out of many young people who are experimenting with the
drug.
Would I be correct in assuming from your statement that you do not
agree with this position?
Mr. GI0JtDAN0. Well, I don't agree with that position, and I think
we are talking in the context here of the Federal law and the Federal
effort in this matter which is aimed at the traffickers and at the
distributors.
I think some people are talking about what is a State or local problem
relating to a person who has a cigarette for the first time. Now, these
penalties here were never aimed at that type of individual and to use
that as an example to say, therefore, on the Federal level we shouldn't
have strong penalties for possession just doesn't make sense to me.
Mr. Rousn. Well, does the severity of the punishment-and it's ap-
parent that the punishment is very severe-in any way restrict prosecu-
tion in some instances where the prosecutor himself may feel that the
punishment is too severe and that he cannot conscientiously promote
a prosecution against an individual realizing the consequences of what
he is doing.
Mr. GIORDANO. Well, I think again we get to a distinction as to where
the individual is being prosecuted and what the laws are. The laws
in States are different in many cases from the Federal law. Some cities
have ordinances against the matter, and there is discretion on the part
of the prosecutor, as you well know in cases as to how he handles it and
how the individual is charged. But I am talking here about the Federal
penalties which we operate under. This has proved to be a deterrent,
and it has proved to be a deterrent in the narcotic area particularly.
Mr. RousH. We agree with you that penalties do act as a deterrent
and I also believe that the certainty of punishment acts as a deterrent.
It does occur to me in many iiTstances on the Federal level that a dis-
trict attorney may be hesitant to prosecute because of the severity of
the punishment, and I am not condemning that at this time. I am
merely asking the question if this might not be the case with regard
to the punishment dealing with this Marihuana Tax Act.
PAGENO="0067"
63
Mr. GIoitDANo. I have never had that brought to my attention at any
time that this has in any way hindered prosecution of a case because
even in the Mari'huana Tax Act there is, for instance, the possession.
While it calls for a penalty of 2 to 10 years, imposition of sentence
can be suspended or probation can be given. So, as I say, this has not
been the case that it has caused any problem that I know of with the
prosecutors.
Mr. Rousii. Well, I ask that question because of my own experience
as a prosecuting attorney in a small county where I had to make de-
cisions as to whether to prosecute or not-and maybe I was just `being
overly compassionate-but there were times when I felt that if I
succeeded in a prosecution, the person would be punished too severely,
and I showed some restraint when perhaps as a good public servant I
shouldn't have shown that same restraint. This is what prompted my
question.
Do you agree with the Task Force on Drugs which is part of the
President's Commission on Crime, in its recommendation that we
reduce the penalty for simple possession from a felony to a misde-
meanor?
Mr. GIORDANO. That isn't what the task force said. Now, there was
a report in there by one of the consultants of the task force that made
this recommendation, but the Commission's recommendation was that
the whole problem of marihuana and the dangers of marihuana should
be subjected to a full study.
Mr. ROtJSH. I had that with me yesterday but I was under the im-
pression this was one of what they called tentative recommendations of
the task force. They used the word tentative, but we will verify that
later.
You said all violators under 18 years of age are treated as juvenile
delinquents and are not subjected to the regular penalties of the act.
Now, to what penalties `are they subjected?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. They are tried as juvenile delinquents and they are
placed in the custody of the Attorney General, as I recall, usually to
the age of 21 and with no criminal record.
Mr. Rousu. No criminal record was kept of this or at least a record
which is subject to public scrutiny?
Mr. GIORPANO. That is right.
Mr. Rousil. Now, you also said that the provisions of the Youth
Corrections Act are available to violators 18 to 22 years old and to many
between the ages of 22 and 26. What penalties ~re they subjected to
under this act?
Mr. GIORDANO. They' are subject to a penalty of up to 6 years,
indeterminate.
Mr. Rousii. In this instance then they could be subject to a felony
penalty?
Mr. GIORDANO. They would be charged, 22 to 26, with a felony, but
the penalty would be an indeterminate sentence of up to 6 years.
Mr. Rousu. It would still be a felony?
Mr. GIORDANO. Yes.
Mr. RousH. From your statement and from your reiteration of your
statement, I take it you do feel the existence of a criminal penalty for
simple possession is a deterrent-
PAGENO="0068"
64
Mr. `GIORDANO. Yes; definitely.
Mr. Rousn (continuing). For potential users.
Mr. GIORDANO. Yes.
Mr. RousH. Do you have any studies whatsoever to show this to be
true or to verify this? I am not questioning your judgment. I am
merely trying to build a record.
Mr. GIORDANO. Let me say, as to studies, the first study where ma-
terial was furnished that was very well covered was in the 1951 hear-
ings that Congressman Boggs held here at this time which centered
around the problem of narcotics and the penalties. In 1956 it was
Congressman Boggs who had a subcommittee of the Ways and Means
Committee, and former Senator Daniels in a Senate coinmittee-botli
committees toured the country-during which time this question of
were penalties ~ deterrent and were they helpful was brought up.
We have a chart which I think may be available which will indicate
the effect of penalties on the narcotic traffic as such. I am separating
that now from the marihuana traffic to show the containment of the
narcotic traffic and addiction; reducing the ratio of addiction in the
United States.
(The chart referred to appears on p. 65.)
Mr. GIORDANO. Also we have evidence of the effect of penalties on
the heroin that is available in the United States. The purity of heroin
today is down to about 3 to 5 percent when it's on the street; whereas
in the past they were able to get 30-, 40-, 50-percent heroin on the
street level. The price of heroin has gone up. In 1956 and 1957 it was
about between $8,000 and $12,000 a kilo. It's now up to $30,000. All
of this is evidence of the results of the penalty.
We also have learned in the course of our operations through our
undercover men, shortly after the 1956 Control Act, which was the
one which increased the penalties the last time, people engaged in
the traffic were leaving the traffic because of the severity of the penalty
and moving into other types of crime, saying in effect, this is too
rough. We can earn a dishonest dollar a lot easier than being subject
to these penalties. This was also developed during the course of the
McClellan hearings on organized crime. In the testimony of Joseph
Valachi as to what the action of the Mafia was as a result of the
penalties, and the word went out, "get out of the narcotic traffic."
Well, I thinl~ this sort of summarizes what we feel points out the
benefits of severe penalties.
Another tiung is, inasfar as the narcotic addiction is concerned, it's
rare to find a narcotic addict when he is either hospitalized or arrested
that suffers airy type o~ severe withdrawal. The hospital officials at
Lexington say they haven't seen what they refer to as classic with-
drawal symptoms for the last 5 or 6 years. We feel that is another in-
dication of what the penalties have done.
We are not saying that penalties alone cure the problem. This
certainly is not enough. You have to have good enforcement. You
have to have penalties. You have to have an educational program.
You have to have treatment.
Mr. Rousu. Does the existence of a criminal penalty for possession
make it easier for your agency to trace the drug back to the supplier?
Mr. GIORDANO. Well, the existence of a criminal penalty makes it
easier in that you can't always develop a sale case. The sale case is the
PAGENO="0069"
65
11.5. Bureau of Narcotics
RESULTS OF LEGISLATION ON RATIO OF
NARCOTIC ADDICTION TO POPULATION
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
most difficult type of case to develop. We are seizing now 2~00 and 300
pounds of marihuana in possession of persons. If there is no penalty
for this, that isn't going to do much to put a dent in the marihuana
traffic.
Mr. RousH. If the penalty for simple possession was lessened from
a felony to a misdemeanor, do you think this would increase the usage
or would it seriously hamper the work of your agency ~
Mr. GloimANo. In other words, possession would only be a mis-
demeanor?
L951 1956 1967
(June 30)
PAGENO="0070"
66
Mr. Rousii. That's correct.
Mr. GIORDANO. Under those circumstances, this would interfere
with the operation of our agency. In other words, it would make the
enforcement much more difficult because, as I say, you would have
an individual with 200 pounds of marihuana, and it's a misdemeanor,
This individual, I think it's obvious, is a trafficker.
Now, if you can't make a sale against him, then you can't charge
him with a sale; and, therefore, all you can charge him with is posses-
sion and it's a misdemeanor. That certainly isn't in any way going
to help control the traffic.
Mr. ROUSH. Wouldn't the quantity which was in possession carry
weight in court as to whether it was for sale or whether it was for
personal use?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. Well, to prove a sale you have to show a sale. The
quantity would indicate to the court it was for sale, but the charge
must be either transferring or acquiring, and you would have to charge
the man with acquiring. If the acquiring were only a misdemeanor,
that is all that he could be sentenced to. You couldn't charge him
with transfer because there is no way you can prove it. You can
assume it but you can't prove it.
Mr. ROUSH. Let's go back one step further, to executive seizure. Sup-
posing all we had was authority for executive seizure with regard to
marihuana, Now, what would this do to your operation?
Mr. GIORDANO. It would make our effort very difficult and would
increase the marihuana problem tenfold.
Mr. ROUSH. Isn't this just exactly what we have in the case of
LSD?
Mr. GIoiuANo. Yes.
Mr. Rousu. And isn't it also true that most people of medicine
consider LSD a much more powerful, potent, and dangerous drug
than marihuana?
Mr. GIORDANO. Yes.
Mr. Rousu. Then we must have a gap here that should be filled by
legislation so as to make the sale of LSD at least equally subject to
penalty, possession, and sale, asin the case of marihuana.
Mr. GIORDANO. Mr. Chairman, you are so right. In fact, I think
that is what we should have been talking about. Instead of talking
about reducing marihuana penalties, we should have been talking about
just what you mentioned.
Mr. ROTJSH. I am not advocating reducing the penalty. I am merely
trying to develop these hearings so we can put this whole matter of
drug possession and drug use and drug sale in the proper perspective
in order that those you serve here can tackle the problem and tackle
it fairly and equitably.
Mr. Gii~&y. I think perhaps there is one thing that might be impor-
tant to mention in connection with Mr. Roush's question about the
quantity of drugs in ones possession. We raised the same question
regarding LSD in prior hearings with the FDA. Apparently one dif-
ference in the Drug Abuse Act, as I understand it, is that it provides
penalties for holding a drug for sale. In other words, the quantity, ac-
cording to the testimony we received from the FDA, would be an jut-
portant factor in any court case. If they could prove by the quar~tity
that it was held for sale, they could make a conviction. From what yoi~i
PAGENO="0071"
67
have said to us, it appears this is not the case with respect to man-
huana; that you can't convict someone of holding it for sale. Since
the violation is the illegal transfer, even if someone is caught with a
larg.e quantity of marihuana in his possession without evidence of
having paid the transfer tax, so you can't prosecute him for holding it
for sale. You can only prosecute him for possession. So if you reduce
the penalty for possession, although you feel he intended to sell, some
would-be sellers may also get off lighter. Does the distinction I have
described have some validity?
Mr. GIolmANo. Yes; I am not fully acquainted with the Drug Abuse
Control Act in this particular area, but what you have just said, I
think, is exactly what I had hoped to get across.
Mr. ROUSH. Yesterday we discussed a UPI story of October 15 of
this year, which stated that for several months HEW had been con-
ducting an investigation aimed at determining whether the present
stringent restrictions on use of manihuana and the accompanying crim-
inal penalties should be revised. Were you aware of this investigation
and has the Narcotics Bureau participated in it?
Mr. GloiWANO. An investigation by FDA?
Mr. ROUSH. That was HEW.
Mr. GIORDANO. HEW.
Mr. ROUSH. The FDA would have been involved in the investiga-
tion, I believe, together with the Public Health Service and the legal
office of HEW.
Mr. GIORDANO. No; we were not involved.
Mr. Rousn. If such an investigation is being conducted, do you feel
you should have been involved?
Mr. GIoluANo. Certainly.
Mr. ROUSH. The President's Advisory Commission on Narcotics and
Drug Abuse, in its 1963 report, recommended that the functions of
the Bureau of Narcotics, relating to the narcotic drugs and marihuana,
and FDA's responsibility for investigation of the illicit traffic in dan-
gerous drugs, both be transferred to the Department of Justice. Now,
has your Bureau taken any position with respect to this recommenda-
tion which would affect your agency?
Mr. GI0IWAN0. Yes, Mr. Chairman, the Treasury Department op-
posed that recommendation. Former Attorney General Kennedy op-
posed the recommendation as well as former Attorney General Katz-
enbach. In fact, that point was developed during the course of the
hearings on the Narcotics Rehabilitation Act.
Mr. Rousn. Commissioner Goddard stated yesterday that when
the FDA's agents find marihuana in the course of one of their investi-
gations they refer the case either to the State or local narcotics agency
or to your Bureau. Would you tell us how many cases have been re-
ferred to your agency each year since the drug abuse law went into
effect?
Mr. GIORDANO. I wouldn't have that figure available. I could try to
determine it, Mr. Chairman, but it's very small.
Mr. ROUSH. Very small?
Mr. GI0RDANO. Yes.
Mr. ROUSH. Would you be able to supply that for the record?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. Yes.
PAGENO="0072"
68
Mr. Rousn. We would like for you to do that.
Mr. GIonnANo. Yes, sir.
(The information referred to follows:)
Since the effective date of the Drug Abuse Control Amendments Act of 1965
(February 15, 1966), Bureau of Drug Abuse Control personnel have referred
twelve (12) cases involving actual mariliuana violation to the Bureau of Nar-
cotics for determination as to disposition.
Mr. Rousn. Now. aside from the investigations which I referred to
a moment ago, is the Narcotics Bureau cooperating with HEW or
other agencies or departments on investigations or studies, relating to
the use of marihuana and its effects, and particularly in the area of
juvenile delinquents.
Mr. GloiwANo. We are cooperating, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Rotrsn. Can you specify particular programs in which you are
cooperating?
Mr. GIorwANo. We are cooperating with the Nationtd Institute of
Mental Health who are making research studies in this area.
Mr. EOtFSH. Is there anything in particular that you have done in
this cooperation that you consider significant?
Mr. GIORDANO. Other than exchanging information, I don't think
I could point to any specific item.
Mr. Eousn. Has HEW in turn in its efforts involving marihuana
made any contribution to your Bureau which has been helpful to
you?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. Well, you mentioned earlier an investigation being
made by them that I was not aware of. So we, of course, didn't receive
anything on that. I am aware, of course, of the work that NIM.H is
doing, and we hope that when that is completed that this will be very
beneficial, not only to the work of our Bureau, but to sort of, you
might say, ~et the record straight on this marihuana problem because
one of the biggest problems we have is the misinformation about
marihuana. I think this has been really why the problem is going up,
because there is so much misinformation about how dangerous man-
huana is or is not; people suggesting that maybe you ought to try
it for yourself and experiment; and professors in the schools using
it and encouraging their students to use m~rihuana~ We do have a
very serious problem, and we hope that HEW and NIMH can develop
information that is going to be able to straighten this out.
Mr. IRousn. It seems to me Dr. Goddard qualified many of his
statements because he said there was a lack of knowledge concerning
marihuana and he was advocating that a thorough study be made.
Would you agree that this is needed and necessary?
Mr. GIORDANO. There is no question that a thorough study should
be made. However, I might say this, Mr. Chairman. There is consid-
erable knowledge on marihuana. I think one of the reasons there is
a gap in the knowledge that we have in the United States is that when
the Marihuana Tax Act went into effect in 1937, the medical profession
here in the United States said it was not of much benefit and therefore
it wasn't used in medicine and the research which is generated when
you are using something stopped here; but there is research going on
in Greece and India and in other countries as to the di~ngerou~ prop-
erties. The World Health Organization at the time the Single Conven-
tion was formed recommended that this was a very dangerous drug.
PAGENO="0073"
69
The expert committee that was at the U.N. in New York at the time-
and two of our top men were members: Dr. Eddy and Dr. Isbell-
determined there was enough information at that time to determine
how dangerous this substance was and where it should be put in the
Single Convention.
Mr. ROtTSH. Just one more question, Mrs. Dwyer, before I leave the
witness. Isn't it true that it's only been within the last year and a half
they have been able to safely experiment with marihuana-and I can't
give you the scientific reason, but it has to do with isolating certain
properties so they can conduct controlled experiments, is that true?
Mr. GIonDANo. Yes, this has been helpful. They have had tetrahy-
drocannabinols from the natural substance, but it takes a large amount
of marihuana. It's been a difficult situation extracting and getting
sufficient quantity of tetrahydrocannabinols to be able to use them.
Now, they have synthesized it, and it's a more stable product.
Mr. IR~YUSH. Mrs. Dwyer.
Mrs. DWYER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I am sorry we don't op-
erate under a 5-minute rule because the minority members aren't
going to have much time to ask questions.
However, Mr. Commissioner, I want to be repetitious in this. I take
it that you believe that the laws concerning possession of marihuana
should not be less stringent and that we have an increase in the use
of marihuana in spite of existing legal penalties because of the break-
ing down of other laws in this country today. Do you not believe that?
If the laws on marihuana were less stringent, would we have less
users?
Mr. GIORDANO. The situation would improve? No, it would not im-
prove. It would get worse.
Mrs. Dwn~R. Thank you very much. Do you believe there is a dif-
ferent relationship between `the use of marihuana and the use of heroin
or other dangerous drugs? In other words, have you found that man-
huana is the first step and then on to heroin and do you have any
statistics to show this is so?
Mr. GIORDANO. I have, Mr. Chairman, several charts here which
I think you may want to introduce and the staff can look them Over,
which list addicts and also show the number of marihuana arrests.
But let me say of the 60,697 active addicts, 90 percent of those started
on marihuana.
Mrs. DWYER. These are unusual statistics. Will you repeat that,
please?
Mr. GIORDANO. Of the 60,~97 addicts that are currently heroin ad-
dicts, 90 percent of those started on marihuana. I want to be clear
on this. It's a steppingstone. Now, this doesn't say that just because
somebody smokes a marihuana cigarette he is going on to heroin, but
it's a trigger.
Mrs. DWYER. Does the Bureau of Narcotics have any figures which
show that an arrest of a youth for mere possession has a deterrent
effect, that there were fttr fewer rearrests for use of marihuana or
other drugs?
Mr. GIORDANO. Mrs. Dwyer, we would not have those figures be-
cause, as I say, our statistics are geared to the traffickers; and as you
see, they are either sellers or possessors who may use it but are pri-
PAGENO="0074"
70
manly traffickers. Just the smoker, I don't think we would have any
statistics on that. We could possibly try to find them for you.
Mrs. DWYER. Would a study of this be helpful to show `the deterrent
effect?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. I am sure this is one of the things that NIMII is
having studies made on, the m'arihuana user and the relationship of
how they got started and why, arid so forth. `This most likely would
develop in that study and I think `the study is being made out in
California. California is really the prime area of concern in marl-
huana. I think this is where we have most;of the problem.
Mrs. Dw~rrn. Which has increased more, illegal use of marihuana or
illegal use of LSD' and other drugs under the jurisdiction of FDA?
Mr. GIORDANO. Well, I would say that-and `here, as Dr. Goddard
spoke about California, soT am going to go on the basis of California-
the upsurge has been just about the same: marihuana, LSD, dangerous
drugs.
Mrs. DWYER. Do you feel then that the statements made today by
various people throughout the country that perhaps marihuana is
not harmful are irresponsible statements in view of the fact there is
talk about a review of the whole manihuana situation and that this may
`actually encourage the use of marihuana?
Mr. `GIounANo. It's most unfortunate that statements have been made
and people h'ave been quoted or misquoted. As I mentioned earlier,
we can almost trace the rise in the marihu'ana problem to the period
of time that LEMAR was formed, which was a group to legalize
marihuana. We were getting the reports that marihuana wasn't any
more `dangerous than alcohol. We were havin'g people who should
know better speaking out in this same vein. This was `about 4 years
ago, and in California this chart shows in the middle of 1965 marl-
huana arrests going up, other drug arrests going up; and `there `is
no question in my mind that this attitude, this permissive `attitude, has
really `brought about this increase in the marihuana problem.
Now, here we get to where we say, well, under those circumstances
let's take away the penalty. To me, those charts will go right through
the roof the moment you do that.
Mrs. DWYER. Two quick questions and then I will bow to my col-
league. `Since there is no penalty for use or possession of dangerous
drugs under the jurisdiction of the FDA, is there a tendency on the
part of persons to use these drugs rather than marihuana?
Mr. GIORDANO. I wouldn't have any information on that, Mrs.
Dwyer.
Mrs. Dw~i~n. Do you work closely with the New Jersey State Nar-
cotics `Commission?
Mr. GIORDANO. Yes, we have for years.
Mrs~ Dw~rR. You would agree it's a good commission. Of course,
they opposed very violently this statement of Dr. Goddard as you
probably know.
Mr. GIORDANO. A lot of people have.
Mrs. Dw~n. I am talking about New Jersey now. Thank you very
much, Mr. Commissioner.
Mr. ROTTSH. Which statement are you ref errin~ to of Dr. Goddard's?
Mrs. DWYER. The g~eneral `tenor of what he said yesterday would lead
one to believe that this marihuana question needed review because per-
PAGENO="0075"
71
haps it wasn't as dangerous as some supposed it was, although his
statement certainly seemed to show that there was danger in the use
of marihuana.
Mr. iRousu. I just wanted to make sure it was not the statement
which he made on the university campus, which I think was dis-
credited; that is, as reported in the newspapers yesterday. I am sure
he didn't mean that.
Mrs. DWYER. He admitted yesterday on the witness stand what he
did say was very unwise. Do you recall that?
Mr. R0usH. I don't recall him using those words, but I am not here
to argue.
Mrs. DWYER. I asked him the question and he said, yes.
Mr. RousH. I just wanted to make sure you weren't referring to the
statement which was improperly attributed to Dr. Goddard on the
university campus and it was not that statement with which the Nar-
cotics Commission of New Jersey was disagreeing; and I could not
agree with you more in your attitude toward the unwiseness and the
impropriety-
Mrs. Dw~n~n. Of what he actually did say.
Mr. Rousu. No; of a relaxed attitude toward marihuana. I wanted
to keep the record clear.
Mrs. DWYER. Is that all, Mr. Chairman?
Mr. ROUSH. Yes. Mr. Dole.
Mr. DOLE. Let me say, as far as I am concerned, the record can show
that the statements attributed to Dr. Goddard have not been dis-
credited in my view. Second, I don't want to involve the head of the
Bureau of Narcotics in exchanges with any other person, but you did
touch upon a point that has been raised in other statements, whether
or not in your opinion you feel marihuatia is more dangerous than
alcohol. It has been bandied about by some people that it is no more
dangerous to smoke marihuana than it is to have a cocktail,
What are your views in this area?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. I think my views are clear. I think marihuana is
a very, very dangerous drug. I think it has been proven to be a danger-
ous drug, and I think it's very unfortunate that they should associate
it with another substance which may be dangerous also-I think
people agree it is dangerous-but they are two different things.
Mr. DOLE. You mean they have different physiological reactions?
Mr. GI0IWAN0. Definitely.
Mr. DOLE. Then second, in your opinion is the so-called pure form
of marihuana as dangerous as LSD?
Mr. GI0RDANO. Well, there are indications that the tests that are
being made by Dr. Isbell on the tetrahydrocannabinols show he is
arriving at the conclusions that it is as dangerous.
Mr. DOLE. Let me say, too, that I certainly concur with the statement
you made, not only in your prepared statement, but in your response
to questions that, instead of discussing the abolition of controls over
marihuana possession or lessening up the penalties, we ought to be
talking about penalties in other areas. We should not be talking about
reducing penalties. We ought to be talking about changing the Drug
Abuse Control Act and providing penalties for possession of LSD
and other drugs covered under that act. I recognize that you are not
charged with the jurisdiction or administration of the Drug Abuse
PAGENO="0076"
72
Control Act, but, in your opinion, based on your 27 years' experience
within this general area, how do you feel about making amendments
to that act which would provide penalties for posses~ion and which
would increase penalties for the illegal manufacture, distribution,
or sale from misdemeanor to a felony?
Mr. GIORDANO. Well, as you say, that is not in my area; but speak-
ing as an enforcement officer on this, I think actually Food and Drug
feels they should have stronger penalties for sale. I think the only
question is about possession. We feel that as enforcement officers, and
knowing that when you want to control something, what you have
to do is to provide penalties for possession.
Mr. DOLE. There has been some talk, and I think I have read a few
newspaper clippings, about the development of synthetic marihuana.
I am wondering who will have jurisdiction over this. Will it be the
Bureau of Narcotics?
Mr. GIoltDANo. Well, we have, as I say, jurisdiction now over can-
nabis and any of its derivatives and, of course, the natural tetrahydro-
cannabinols we have jurisdiction over. This new synthetic is not cov-
ered under the Marihuana Tax Act; however, we in the Treasury
Department will be submitting legislation to cover it under the Man-
huana Tax Act.
We had this problem develop in relation to narcotic drugs. The
original Harrison Act did not provide for the synthetic drugs. It just
provided for the natural derivatives and Demerol came along which
was a synthetic, and initial]y it wasn't supposed to be harmful. Doc-
tors pointed out it was nonaddioting but it turned out to be very
w~ldicting. So, Congress passed the "opiate" procedure part of the
Harrison Act so any narcotic drugs that are made synthetically or
any drugs made synthetically that had narcotic properties are covered
immediately, and this we hope to provide under the Marihuana Tax
Act for any synthetics that come out.
Mr. DOLE. I think yesterday it was at least indicated that perhaps
the FDA would have jurisdiction over synthetic marihuana; so you
would have at least a conflict where under the natural derivative there
would be a penalty aiid under the FDA on synthetic marihuana there
would be no penalty for possession.
Mr. GIORJANO. They would have jurisdiction over it as a new drug
to that degree.
Mr. DOLE. You don't see any problem as far as enforcement or pen-
alties because it's a synthetic marihuana?
Mr. GIORDANO. No., we wouldn't have any problem there. Actually
this substance is very, very difficult to make, and the problem of it
getting into illicit traffic at this time is quite remote; but we will have
legislation to introduce to Congress to cover that.
Mr. DOLE. Do you feel that the fact that penalties are provided for
possession or use of marihuana have been an aid to your Bureau in
prosecuting illegal distributors or sellers by encouraging the users
or possessor to disclose their source of supply? Does the penalty have
any benefit in that area?
Mr. GIORDANO. Well, I don't think that would necessarily be just
confined to the possession penalty. I think penalties, adequate penalties
at times will induce somebody to disclose their source of supply in the
hopes that the court would in some way mitigate the sentence.
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73
Mr. DOLE. I think generally since the bell has rung, I will ask only
a few more short questions.
Certamly you are not advocating any legalizing of possession of
marihuana?
Mr. GIOEDANO. Absolutely net.
Mr. DOLE. You are not advocating this morning that we relax the
controls or reduce the penalties for possession of marihuana?
Mr. GIOEDANO. No, sir.
Mr. DOLE. Do you feel, as you have indicated, that the present law
has been a deterrent?
Mr. GIORDANO. Yes, it has.
Mr. DOLE. Do you have any areas where you feel perhaps the law
could be improved by either making the penalties more stringent or
perhaps, as Mr. Roush commented earlier from the prosecution stand-
point, making some provision where you wouldn't tag the person
with a felony. Do you have any suggestions in that area?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. No, I don't have any suggestions. Of course, let me
say that the penalties of the law are always continually under review
by the Bureau and `by the Treasury Department, and in fact as I
mentioned the law was modified just last year to make parole avail-
able to the marihuana trafficker as they felt maybe he would be more
susceptible to rehabilitation than the man involved in the heroin
traffic. This i.s something that we will watch now to see what happens
as a result of making parole available, will this be bei~eficial? So, as
to the penalties and the law, we are always reviewing it and looking
at it, as `has Congress the past 15 years.
Mr. DOLE. Thank you very much.
Mr. Rousu. Thank you. One question. Do you have re~liabie inlor-
mation on the extent of marihuana use in this country as oOthpared
to its use in other countries where there are no penalties for its
possession?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. I don't think that we would be able to give any
figures on that. One of the most difficult things-I may help the com-
mittee here-is to assess something like marihuana use. In other
words, heroin use you can assess. You can tell when a man is using
heroin or any narcotic drug. They go through withdrawal and the
doctors can tell. There is as yet no medical test to determine whether
or not someone has consumed marihuana, smoked it, or otherwise.
Incidentally, at the University of Indiana I believe the two doctors
who developed the alcohol test are now working on trying to come
up with something to determine if you can tell if somebody has used
marihuana. So the figures that you would give on marihuana use are
rather innocuous. You could count the number of people that said,
"I smoked marihuana." There is no way to tell if somebody just let
them take a puff, did they smoke two `cigarettes, are they smoking it
every day; so this is a problem in trying to come up with figures
because the figures wouldn't really tell you anything.
Mr. Rousu. What quantity `of marihuana is used in this country
for research purposes such as you are describing and is there any
evidence of this `being diverted to illegal use?
Mr. GI0RDAN0. We have the figures. It's usually 10 or 12 pounds that
we turn over to the various ones that are making the research. They
have to report back to us what they use it for; they have to maintain
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74
records on how it's handled and so forth. So 1 would doubt that we are
getting any problem there with a diversion from that used in research.
But I did want to get into this a little bit. Just one of the things that
we feel is a problem with marihuana, and it is difficult to prove, is the
number of automobile accidents that are a result of someone using
marihuana. We know what happens when they smoke marihuana. I
think it has been explained to the committee-time, depth perception-
and this is one of the reasons that the two doctors at the University of
Indiana are trying to develop this test.
Mr. Rotrsn. Is one of them Dr. Borkinstein?
Mr. GIORDANO. I forget, but you know they are working on this test
which will be very helpful because if they can develop a medical test
then you can get a little bit better idea of just what the numbers are.
Mr. ROUSH. If he does as well in this area as they did there on the
breathilizer, or whatever they call it, for the purpose of determining
alcohol content in the blood, they will do very well.
We are very grateful to you for coming here this morning, and I
think all of us appreciate the tremendous job that your Bureau has
done and the service you have rendered this country. We want you to
know that there are people who do appreciate your efforts and, as I
stated before, we were merely seeking information and facts here this
morning, and I would hope that the questions, particularly those which
I asked, would not indicate a lenient view on the use of narcotics. I con-
sider it to be one of the Nation's great problems, and hopefully we
might be able to solve it through the cooperation of people like your-
selves and others working in this field.
Thank you.
Mr. GIORDANO. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
(Whereupon, at 11:10 a.m. the subcommittee was adjourned.)
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