Marijuana on Trial: The Panama Canal Zone Report

Abstract

In 1925 the first official inquiry into the hazards of marijuana use was conducted at the request of the governor of the Panama Canal Zone. Testimonies allegedly documenting the deleterious effects of marijuana were carefully examined, and laboratory studies were conducted as part of the inquiry. The conclusions of the report were that the deleterious effects of marijuana had been exaggerated, and it recommended that no restrictions be placed on the use of the drug.