Harry Anslinger - The Man Who Banned Marijuana

Harry J. Anslinger, head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics from 1930 to 1962, played a pivotal role in the criminalization of cannabis. Initially focused on alcohol prohibition, Anslinger shifted his attention to cannabis to secure his job post-prohibition. He used racism, economic interests, and fabricated evidence to demonize cannabis, influencing public perception and policy. His campaign was supported by figures like William Randolph Hearst and the DuPont corporation. Anslinger also targeted jazz musicians, using hyperbolic language to further his agenda. His actions contributed to the war on drugs and the prison industrial complex, with lasting impacts on society.

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