The Anslinger Era, named after Harry Anslinger, the first Commissioner of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics, marked a pivotal shift in how the world viewed cannabis. During the 1930s and 1940s, Anslinger spearheaded a vigorous anti-cannabis campaign that profoundly altered public perception and policy.
Before this period, cannabis was commonly used for medical and industrial purposes. However, Anslinger’s efforts, driven by sensationalist media and fear-mongering, portrayed cannabis as a dangerous drug that led to moral decay and criminal behavior. His campaigns featured alarming propaganda and racially charged rhetoric, which fueled widespread anxiety and stigma.
Anslinger’s influence extended globally when he lobbied the United Nations to classify cannabis as a dangerous drug. This advocacy led to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961, which resulted in the prohibition of cannabis in 55 countries. As a result, cannabis became increasingly associated with criminality and deviance. This shift led to stringent prohibition laws not only in the United States but also influenced global drug policies, contributing to the widespread criminalization and stigmatization of cannabis that persists in various forms to this day. The Anslinger Era thus represents a significant turning point in the history of cannabis, transforming it from a benign plant into a symbol of societal fear and legal repression.