In 1970 millions of teenagers, students and others had tried marijuana but in most states and with the federal government, it was seriously illegal and if discovered on your body, you could be put away in prison for 10 to 20 years. Some people were.
This program tried to look at the subject from a distance and gave it a fair examination. I was not involved in the production but I did some of the filming under contract to the producer.
The US government’s position towards marijuana at that time was that it was classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which means it was considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This made it illegal at the federal level, although some states had already started to decriminalize it.
It’s difficult to provide an exact number of how many people in the USA smoked marijuana in the 1970s because it was an illegal activity and many people may not have admitted to using it. However, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the percentage of people in the United States who reported using marijuana in the past month was around 11% in 1979, which was higher than in previous years.
It’s difficult to provide an exact number of how many people went to prison for marijuana in the 1970s because data collection was not as comprehensive as it is today. However, according to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 1974 there were approximately 16,000 people in state and federal prisons for drug offenses, which included marijuana-related offenses. This number increased to over 40,000 by the end of the decade. It’s important to note that not all of these individuals were incarcerated solely for marijuana offenses, as drug offenses encompass a variety of substances.
Back then, there was growing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of marijuana, and some proponents claimed it had positive effects on a variety of conditions, such as glaucoma, nausea, and chronic pain. Additionally, some people believed that marijuana had psychoactive effects that could enhance creativity, produce a feeling of relaxation, and provide a new perspective on life. However, these claims were not fully supported by scientific evidence, and the potential negative effects of marijuana, such as impaired cognition and respiratory problems, were also recognized.
There has been a significant shift in attitude towards marijuana between the 1970s and now. In the past, marijuana was widely stigmatized, and its use was criminalized, with harsh penalties for possession and distribution. Today, many states in the US have legalized marijuana for medical and/or recreational use, and public opinion has shifted to a more positive view of the drug. This change in attitude is due in part to increased scientific research on marijuana’s potential benefits and risks, as well as a broader cultural shift towards accepting previously stigmatized behaviors. However, it’s important to note that not all states have legalized marijuana, and the drug is still illegal under federal law.
I have posted several video clips from this documentary and other clips on marijuana use back in the 1960s and 70s. Search the word “marijuana” on my YouTube channel to find more.
If you found this interesting, your support would make it possible for me to continue to do this and present clips on YouTube. Please click the Super Thanks button below the video screen.
Thank you.
David Hoffman filmmaker
