82 YEARS AGO TODAY
This article is by the same author as yesterday, though this is from the December 21, 1928 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. He must have really wanted that bud out of there. Too bad he doesn't seem to understand that not only are the local police powerless against the proliferation of the marijuana trade, but the federal government will be as well.
Also notable is the blatant racism displayed in the line "The dangers of such a drug in the hands of children, Negroes, and immigrants are too obvious for comment" Not to say the rest of the article isn't terrible and incorrect but I think this is the main reason this fellow is 'scared' of weed. And comparing marijuana's effects to cocaine? Really?
Anyways, I have the picture on the shroomery and a large direct image link offsite as well if you can't read the image on the forum. I also transcribed it if you don't want to read off the paper...
Enjoy 

Large Resolution image link: http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2402/12211928marihuanabrookl.jpg
Brooklyn Daily Eagle - December 21, 1928
FEDERAL AGENTS POWERLESS TO END HASHISH TRAFFIC
No Law Covering Sale of Deadly Drug Which Claims Child Victims
By Basil Manly
New Orleans, Dec. 21 - Although Uncle Sam prohibits, through the Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act, the sale of opium and other drugs so completely that it is impossible to have a physician's prescription containing an opiate refilled, the Federal Government places no restraint upon one of the most vicious of all drugs - the deadly hashish - under whose stimulating and degrading influence many of the most brutal crimes of the Orient have been committed.
It is to stop the use of this noxious drug under it's Mexican name of marihuana among the children of New Orleans and other cities that the New Orleans and other cities that the New Orleans Public School Alliance is now appealing to Congress through Representatives James O'Connor and J.Z. Spearing of Louisiana.
Unable to Halt Traffic
The State law punishes it's sale and possession with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and $150 fine, but the school authorities insist that the local police have proven themselves unable to halt the traffic in marihuana without the co-operation of the Federal Government, which alone can stop it's importation. They, therefore, urge the amendment of the Harrison Anti-Narcotic Law to cover hashish and marihuana in all forms and under all their various trade names, such as "muggles", "moota", "bang" and "congi".
To this end they seek the co-operation of other cities whose children are menaced by the rapid spread of this degrading habit throughout the United States. From New Orleans, which appears to be the center of the traffic because of it's proximity to Mexico, where hemp, the raw material of the drug, is grown in enormous quantities, the use of marihuana is being carried to other ports on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, to cities on the Mexican border and even to cities and towns located in the interior.
Smuggled by Sailors
It is smuggled in by sailors and stewards on boats that touch Vera Cruz, Tampico, Havana and other ports in Central America and the West Indies. It is carried into the interior of the country by tramps and peddlers, who find this an easy way to make money.
The prevalence of the marihuana habit among the school children of New Orleans is alarming. They smoke it in the form of cigarettes, which they call "muggles". W.O. Hart, prominent attorney of New Orleans and chairman of the legislative committee of the Public School Alliance, declares that many cases have recently been reported and that it's use was apparently growing. Teachers state that they are unable to control it, and that the habit once formed is difficult to break. It is not only injurious to health but undermines character and sometimes produces violent insanity among it's victims.
Habitual Use by Children
Instances of the habitual use of "muggles" among children less than 12 years old are well authenticated. Here, for example, is an extract from the official report of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children:
"We are now working with a group of boys, none of them over 12 years of age, who stay out every Saturday night and gamble until daylight. A number of them smoke doped Mexican cigarettes called 'muggles', and are really little dope fiends".
Two years ago, when the New Orleans Tribune conducted a thorough investigation of the local situation, they found among the school children of New Orleans more than 200 marihuana users, some of whom smoked "muggles" habitually. About 30 places - poolrooms, cabarets, soft drink parlors, cigar stands, and street peddlers - were located at which the stuff was sold at the standard price of two cigarettes for a quarter. Many arrests followed, and the traffic seemed for a time to be broken up.
Acts Like Cocaine
Now it is reappearing in virulent form not only among the children but to an even greater extent among workingmen, particularly those of Latin-American origin, and the Negroes. Like cocaine, it kills fatigue and produces a temporary stimulation, which is followed by extreme lassitude and depression. It has a powerful hypnotic effect, and produces in it's victim and overpowering desire to carry out whatever idea he may have while under it's influence.
It is probably because of this effect that the word "assassin" is said to be derived from the Oriental hashish. The chief of the band of thugs who were notorious for their murderous record gave his followers hashish to create an insensibility to pain and a disregard for human life. The dangers of such a drug in the hands of children, Negroes, and immigrants are too obvious for comment.
A simple amendment to the Federal Anti-Narcotic Act is all that is necessary to put the full force of the United States Government behind it's suppression. As it is, Federal narcotic agents have no jurisdiction and are powerless to do more than report to the local authorities when they accidentally discover evidence of marihuana traffic.
Edited by Best (12/21/10 12:36 PM)
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