Shafer Commission

Shafer Commission, officially known as the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, was a comprehensive study commissioned by the United States Congress in 1970 and conducted under the presidency of Richard Nixon. The commission's primary task was to advise on the appropriate direction of marijuana laws in the United States. It is named after its chairman, Raymond P. Shafer, who was the former governor of Pennsylvania.

Background

The establishment of the Shafer Commission was a response to the growing use of marijuana in the 1960s, particularly among the youth and the counterculture movement. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This classification sparked controversy and calls for a reevaluation of marijuana's legal status and its effects on society.

Findings

In March 1972, the Shafer Commission released its report, titled "Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding." The report challenged the prevailing views on marijuana, suggesting that the drug was not as dangerous as it had been portrayed and recommending the decriminalization of marijuana for personal use. The commission found that marijuana did not cause significant physical, psychological, or social harm, and that its dangers had been exaggerated. It recommended that personal use and possession of marijuana should not be criminal offenses, and that the government should focus instead on treatment for heavy users.

Recommendations

The Shafer Commission's recommendations were groundbreaking at the time. They suggested:

• Decriminalization of possession of marijuana for personal use
• Implementation of a system for the distribution of marijuana for medical purposes
• More research into the effects of marijuana
• A public campaign to discourage heavy use

Impact

Despite the comprehensive findings and recommendations of the Shafer Commission, the Nixon administration did not follow through with the suggested reforms. Instead, the government continued to enforce strict laws against marijuana use and possession, leading to the War on Drugs. The commission's report, however, has been cited in subsequent debates on drug policy and marijuana legalization, highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding marijuana laws in the United States.

Legacy

The Shafer Commission is remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of marijuana legislation in the United States. Its findings and recommendations continue to influence discussions and policies regarding marijuana decriminalization and legalization. The commission's work is often referenced by advocates for drug policy reform, illustrating the complex relationship between law, society, and scientific understanding.

See Also

• Controlled Substances Act
• War on Drugs
• Marijuana legalization in the United States
• Drug policy of the United States