4 chapters across the catalog
A federal bill is moving toward legalizing industrial hemp for the first time in 80 years as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. The hosts discuss the economic potential of the CBD market and the historical reasons for hemp's prohibition. Dvorak attributes the original ban to William Randolph Hearst's desire to protect his timber investments from hemp-based paper competition.
Hemp History, Epilepsy Treatment and Pharmaceutical Interference
The history of hemp in America is discussed, including 17th-century laws requiring farmers to grow it and its later suppression by paper and pharmaceutical interests. A case study of a child with epilepsy shows a 40% reduction in seizures using CBD, raising questions about the "shameful" lack of research permitted in the U.S. The hosts argue that the film "Reefer Madness" was a tool used to associate the plant with racial minorities and criminal behavior.
Frank Wolf, Marijuana Opposition and Reefer Madness
Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia delivers a heated speech against the marijuana amendment, claiming it would harm law enforcement and send a dangerous message to 15-year-olds watching C-SPAN. His rhetoric is compared to the 1936 film "Reefer Madness" for its focus on Mexican drug gangs and "assassin of youth" tropes.
Medical Marijuana Paranoia, Reefer Madness and Social Stigma
Listener emails describe extreme adverse reactions to high-potency medical marijuana, including prolonged paranoia. The hosts compare these modern accounts to the 1930s "Reefer Madness" propaganda campaign led by William Randolph Hearst. They debate whether current media stories about "flipping out" on weed are organic or part of a campaign to prevent legalization in California.
