DRUG LAWS STEEPED IN RACISM

Editor:

Re: "Dictatorship by inaction," Letters/May 16.

Letter writer Joe DePaul is right about the constitutional basis for
drug prohibition. A big concern about cannabis prohibition is the fact
that marijuana laws are based on outrageous racist fictions:

"Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step
on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." (Hearst
newspapers nationwide, 1934)

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are
Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music,
jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause
white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and
any others." Harry J. Anslinger, circa 1947

"... the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the
degenerate races." Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J.
Anslinger, 1930

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity,
criminality and death."

"Marijuana is the most violence causing drug in the history of
mankind."

"[Smoking] one [marihuana] cigarette might develop a homicidal mania,
probably to kill his brother." (see U.S. Government Propaganda to
Outlaw Marijuana - http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/t3.htm
).

These accusations which utterly lack a single supporting fact are the
basis for throwing people in prison for terms of up to 20 to life for
growing, selling and possessing marijuana. Keep in mind we are talking
about victimless "crimes."

RALPH GIVENS, Daly City, Calif.