Madison NORML

As NORML noted click here on March 22, 2002, the report’s 30th anniversary, “The Shafer Commission's 1972 report, entitled "Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding," boldly proclaimed that "neither the marihuana user nor the drug itself can be said to constitute a danger to public safety" and recommended Congress and state legislatures decriminalize the use and casual distribution of marijuana for personal use.”

Common Sense for Drug Policy published an ad click here in 2002 for the anniversary that noted, “The Shafer Commission issued its report on marijuana policy on March 22, 1972-30 years ago. President Nixon ignored the scientific advice he was given. The Netherlands, which had a similar commission, did not. Today, marijuana use in Holland is half that of the U.S.”

Considering the politics of Madison in 1972, had Nixon listened, we would be living in a very different place today. “Madsterdam” might be our reality, not just a dream of how it could be. In the Netherlands, Amsterdam’s cannabis coffeeshops have now been in existence for 30 years.

Our communities and nation would be a lot safer, more peaceful and happier had Nixon only listened. Instead, 34 1/2 years later we are still trodding down this dark road, arresting more than half a million Americans each year for pot. Our prisons are jammed, and we are world’s leading jailer, far surpassing China and Russia. But, as far down this road as we are, it is never too late to turn back. This war is not just a huge mistake, but by far, the longest, costliest and most damaging war in U.S. history. Hopefully, this war will now receive some much-needed scrutiny, too, with the change of power in Congress and the Wisconsin legislature. We, the people, should insist on no less.

Former Pa. Gov. Raymond Shafer dies
DANIEL LOVERING
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Former Gov. Raymond P. Shafer, a Republican who oversaw tax hikes to finance social programs and later pushed for federal decriminalization of personal marijuana use, died Tuesday. He was 89.

As Pennsylvania's governor from 1967 to 1971, Shafer led an overhaul of the state constitution, which had grown outdated, winning several changes from the Republican-controlled Legislature and voters.

[snip]

President Nixon appointed Shafer chairman of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse in 1971, around the time Shafer was named chairman and chief executive officer of Teleprompter Corp.

The Shafer Commission, as it was known, in 1972 recommended that state and federal governments decriminalize the personal use of marijuana but continue to declare it an illegal substance.

"We feel that placed in proper perspective with other social problems, citizens should not be criminalized or jailed merely for private possession or use," Shafer said.

But Nixon rejected the report, saying he would not follow any recommendation to legalize marijuana.

[snip]

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Associated Press writer Jonathan Poet in Philadelphia contributed to this report.