Reefer Madness

Reefer Madness chronicles the history of marijuana in America, focusing on its cultural impact and the shifting legal landscape surrounding the drug. The book, published in 1979 and reissued in 1998, includes an introduction by William S. Burroughs. The text examines key historical moments in cannabis culture, from early usage through the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Through interviews and research, Sloman documents the perspectives of users, law enforcement officials, and policymakers during different periods of American history. The narrative covers various aspects of marijuana's presence in American society, including its role in music, literature, and social movements. The book explores both government efforts to control cannabis use and the grassroots resistance to these measures. As one of the first comprehensive examinations of marijuana's place in American culture, Reefer Madness raises questions about personal freedom, government control, and the relationship between law and social change.

Readers highlight Sloman's deep research and insider access to major players in the 1970s marijuana counterculture. Many appreciate his firsthand accounts of spending time with figures like High Times magazine staff, dealers, and activists. Readers liked: - Detailed chronicling of specific events and operations - Personal interviews providing unique perspectives - Historical documentation of the period's culture - Neutral, journalistic writing style Readers disliked: - Meandering narrative structure - Too much focus on New York scenes - Dated cultural references that require context - Some sections drag with excessive detail Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (161 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) "A fascinating time capsule of the 70s drug culture" - Goodreads reviewer "Great research but needs tighter editing" - Amazon reviewer "Important historical record, though pacing is uneven" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌿 The book's title references the infamous 1936 propaganda film "Reefer Madness," which portrayed marijuana as causing violent crime and insanity among youth. 🎸 Larry "Ratso" Sloman also served as Howard Stern's collaborator and wrote the acclaimed Bob Dylan biography "On the Road with Bob Dylan." 📜 The first federal action against marijuana in the U.S. was the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively criminalized cannabis through prohibitive taxation. 🎭 During the Jazz Age of the 1920s and 30s, cannabis was deeply embedded in the music scene, with numerous songs referencing "reefer" and "tea" as code words. 🏛️ Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, led an aggressive anti-cannabis campaign by linking marijuana use to crime and racial prejudices, significantly influencing early drug policy.