By Luke Sumpter


Cannabis ranks as one of the most controversial plants on the planet. While its psychoactive effects set it apart from many other species, vicious pieces of propaganda from almost a century ago have tarnished its reputation, and only now is the plant starting to shed its unsavoury image. Among these, the cult classic film Reefer Madness stands out as one of the most bizarre and detached from reality. Continue reading to discover the history of cannabis prohibition and the hysteria of Reefer Madness.

Cannabis Hysteria

When Did Cannabis Hysteria Start?

Cannabis prohibition is easing in certain parts of the Western world, with countries such as Malta and Luxembourg legalizing home cultivation. However, not only did such advances seem like the stuff of fiction only a matter of years ago, but many countries across the world continue to punish citizens who grow, possess, and use the herb. But things haven’t always been this way. In the past, several nations embraced cannabis—and even mandated the plant’s cultivation.

The ancient historical use of cannabis spans several cultures, including as a psychoactive herb among Hindus in modern-day India as well as nomadic Scythians. More recently, historically speaking, King Henry VIII decreed[1] increased hemp cultivation in the early 16th century as an industrial product used in shipbuilding. Even closer to the modern era, between 1840–1900, cannabis wasn’t just legal in the United States but was prescribed[2] as a medicinal product.

So, when did it all get so draconian? Several instances of cannabis prohibition have sent ripples throughout human history. In the modern era, we’re still experiencing the repercussions of the anti-cannabis hysteria that took place in the United States during the early 20th century. The so-called “Reefer Madness” era witnessed a barrage of bombastic anti-cannabis propaganda that set the stage for strict prohibition and inserted distorted views and irrational fear into the minds of many.

But keep in mind, although this period of social conditioning still has a tangible impact today, it didn’t emerge as a unique historical event. The earliest restrictions[3] placed on cannabis occurred in the Islamic world during the 14th century, when religious leaders outlawed the use of hash, viewing its use as contrary to a moral life. As hash use became so prevalent—to the point where users even ate it in mosques—the Ayyubid sultan ordered the uprooting and burning of weed plants in Syria.

Cannabis prohibition also reared its head in Madagascar in 1817 throughout the Merina Kingdom, where the king implemented the death penalty as punishment for using the plant. Likewise, cannabis restrictions also arose in Brazil in 1830, British Singapore, and Natal (modern-day South Africa) in 1870. These examples are just a handful of cases of cannabis prohibition throughout history—a complex phenomenon still in full force today throughout much of the world.

Out of all of these cases, the anti-cannabis hysteria of early 20th century America rings out the strongest today. Let’s take a deeper look into exactly what unfolded.

Marijuana Menace
  • The Marijuana Menace: The Herb Vilified

The sensational term “Marijuana Menace” was coined by propagandists of the era to warp the perception of cannabis among the American population. Both media outlets and politicians added fuel to the fire of anti-cannabis campaigns and stirred up moral panic by painting cannabis, its users, and its effects in an unrealistic light.

The motivations for this character assassination of the herb are manifold. The official reasons for targeting cannabis revolved around concerns about its links to psychosis, the erosion of cultural moral values, and its association with crime. However, look a little deeper, and rather suspicious connections start to build an entangled web involving economic, political, and racial agendas.

Out of all the propagandists tasked with dirtying the image of cannabis, Harry Anslinger stands as the most effective and pernicious. Although Anslinger reportedly viewed cannabis as relatively benign before becoming the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, his opinion quickly turned and he became one of the architects of the United States’ war on drugs. Having written anti-cannabis articles with titles such as "Assassin of Youth", Anslinger played a key role in spreading marijuana misinformation, often tinged with racist rhetoric towards Mexican migrants.

Some might view Anslinger’s work as noble, since he spearheaded a movement to protect the American public against the dangers of a harmful drug. Looking at the evidence, it’s clear that cannabis does cause some level of harm[4], including a heightened risk of mental health issues in some people. However, it appears Anslinger fulfilled his role with strings attached, and powerful figures across different domains were pulling them.

Anslinger had a famous relationship with William Randolph Hearst, a media mogul and owner of several paper-producing companies. Due to his economic investments, Hearst viewed hemp as a threat to this paper business. Interestingly, Anslinger wrote several articles for newspapers owned by Hearst, including his “Gore Files” series that documented horrific acts supposedly performed by users of cannabis under the influence.

But Hearst wasn’t alone in seeing hemp as a threat. DuPont, a petrochemical and synthetic fibre giant, had recently created a nylon fibre at the time that would directly compete with hemp in textile and rope manufacturing. Adding to this, figures in the alcohol, pharmaceutical, and cotton industries all would have favored the elimination of their botanical competition.

How Was Cannabis Made Illegal in 1937?

Following a relentless anti-cannabis propaganda campaign, the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937[5] was the final nail in the coffin for legal cannabis in the United States. Created to limit the cultivation, distribution, and therefore possession of cannabis, the legislation placed huge prohibitive taxes on those dealing in hemp, making it practically impossible to stay in business.

What Was Reefer Madness?

Looking back at the propaganda of the era, Reefer Madness, the film from which this period of history derives its name, stands out as one of the most sensational pieces. Produced in 1936 and funded by a church group, this cautionary tale and cult classic focuses on a group of drug dealers who lure teenagers back to their apartment to smoke marijuana. The plot gradually unfolds in a way that ties cannabis use to a range of atrocious acts, including a hit-and-run accident, attempted sexual assault, and hallucination-induced murder. The film goes on to suggest that using marijuana, even just once, can lead to criminal urges and addiction.

Originally screened in community centers to warn viewers, the film quickly received criticism for its exaggeration of the dangers of cannabis. However, the flick certainly tarnished cannabis in the minds of many, portraying it as a hardcore and dangerous drug. To this day, many cannabis users enjoy the unintentionally humorous and bizarre scenes.

Refer Madness Movie

The Lasting Influence of Cannabis Propaganda

Much of the cannabis prohibition in the Western world has ties to the United States’ war on drugs, a period that the Reefer Madness era helped to lay the foundations for. In the modern era, many people, including high-ranking politicians and medical professionals, maintain a skewed view of cannabis. Through a lack of education on the topic, they view it as a substance akin to much more dangerous and addictive substances. Their perception isn’t based on available evidence, but is in fact closer to anti-cannabis sentiments of the early 20th century in America.

While prohibition is losing its grip across the world, from Germany to Thailand, many nations remain behind the times and ignorant of the evidence. While modern minds don’t struggle to see how detached from reality films like Reefer Madness are, not everyone, including policymakers, knows enough about the plant to make this (important) distinction.

Reefer Madness: A Cult Classic That Now Inspires Change

Reefer Madness propaganda certainly damaged the reputation of cannabis in the eyes of many. The architects behind the messaging not only targeted cannabis as a psychoactive substance, but also non-psychoactive hemp that boasts a wealth of industrial uses. However, the worldwide reform of marijuana laws shows that pro-cannabis advocates and campaigners are helping to return evidence to policymaking. As science helps to consolidate a clearer picture of the reality of the dangers and benefits of cannabis, the world is shedding the madness of Reefer Madness.

External Resources:
  1. Recent palaeoenvironmental evidence for the processing of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in eastern England during the medieval period - White Rose Research Online https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk
  2. About Cannabis Policy | APIS - Alcohol Policy Information System https://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov
  3. Hashish in Islam 9th to 18th century https://europepmc.org
  4. Is Marijuana Bad for Health? https://www.scientificamerican.com
  5. Marijuana Was Once a Legal Cross-Border Import? https://www.cbp.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: