Nixon Started the War on Drugs. Privately, He Said Pot Was ‘Not Particularly Dangerous.’

In March 1973, President Richard Nixon privately acknowledged that marijuana was 'not particularly dangerous' during a meeting with aides in the Oval Office. This admission came two years after he declared a war on drugs, labeling substance use as the nation's 'public enemy No. 1.' Nixon's comments were recorded on his secret White House tapes, which have only recently been made available for public scrutiny. Historians have found these revelations significant, as they contrast sharply with Nixon's public stance on drug use. Nixon expressed concern about the severe penalties associated with marijuana offenses, suggesting that they should be proportional to the crime. He specifically criticized a case involving a 30-year sentence, deeming it 'ridiculous.' This perspective highlights a disconnect between Nixon's private views and the harsh policies his administration implemented, which contributed to the criminalization of marijuana. The classification of marijuana as a substance with high abuse potential and no medical value has had lasting repercussions. Over the past five decades, this designation has led to millions of arrests, disproportionately affecting Black communities and hindering research into the medical benefits of cannabis. These newly revealed insights into Nixon's thinking provide a critical lens through which to examine the origins of the war on drugs and its ongoing impact on American society. The historical context of these remarks raises questions about the motivations behind drug policy and the consequences of punitive measures on marginalized populations.