Reviewed
The Marijuana Papers: A comprehensive reference work of the essential classic and contemporary documents on marijuana. Edited by David Solomon. New York: The Bobs-Merrell Company. 448 pp. $10.00.
If one considers the huge tax loss that would result from a substantial public shift to marijuana from alcoholic beverages and the power of the liquor lobby, it is easier to understand why this mildly stimulating and relaxing herb has been the victim of such repressive laws.
The plant thrives, requires practically, no cultivation and needs only drying to prepare it for use. It was grown commercially in the U.S. before 1937 and according to one of the articles in this book, George Washington grew it as a cash crop. Because of its easy cultivation and preparation, it would be impossible to derive large tax sums from it.
Contributors to the more than 25 different articles in this book include botanists, sociologists, doctors, polemicists, and satirists.
Besides the articles many other sources of information are quoted from, thus giving the reader the best available, accurate and authoritative information on marijuana. The book does not have a good bibliography, which is an oversight since it is a reference book.
The long out-of-print Mayor LaGuardia’s Report, THE MARIJUANA PROBLEM IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK is printed in full and is the highlight of the book. But other important official sources are quoted but left out, such as THE MILITARY SURGEON REPORT or “The Indian Hemp Drug Commission Report.” All of these official scientific studies gave marijuana a clean bill of health.
The marijuana hysteria has been so great in the U.S. that all medical research and use of the drug has been stopped. The book lists many of the known medical uses of the drug. That the drug is taken for relaxing purposes is well known and referred to in this book. In comparison to alcohol the social benefits which could be realized by a public shift from alcoholic beverages to marijuana usage are only slightly mentioned but deserve much more research.
This book will be a welcome reference for the growing number of concerned Americans who, in recognition of the plants many virtues, risk official disapproval by openly arguing and campaigning for its legality. In the same manner it will be of no use for the ignorant campaigner, official or unofficial, who is trying to find medical or psychological evidence against the use of marijuana.
THE MARIJUANA PAPERS will provide the interested reader with a readable, accurate, and authoritative collection of articles on marijuana.