75-724 O

MAY 1972

Printed for the use of the Committee on Labor and
Public Welfare

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1972

PURCHASES T. ROUGH

DOC. EX. PROJECT

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE

HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, JR., New Jersey, Chairman

JENNINGS RANDOLPH, West Virginia
CLAIBORNE PELL, Rhode Island
EDWARD M. KENNEDY, Massachusetts
GAYLORD NELSON, Wisconsin
WALTER F. MONDALE, Minnesota
THOMAS F. EAGLETON, Missouri
ALAN CRANSTON, California
HAROLD E. HUGHES, Iowa
ADLAI E. STEVENSON III, Illinois

JACOB K. JAVITS, New York
PETER H. DOMINICK, Colorado
RICHARD S. SCHWEIKER, Pennsylvania
BOB PACKWOOD, Oregon
ROBERT TAFT, JR., Ohio

J. GLENN BEALL, JR., Maryland
ROBERT T. STAFFORD, Vermont

STEWART E. MCCLURE, Staff Director
ROBERT E. NAGLE, General Counsel
ROY H. MILLENSON, Minority Staff Director
EUGENE MITTELMAN, Minority Counsel

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND NARCOTICS
HAROLD E. HUGHES, Iowa, Chairman

JENNINGS RANDOLPH, West Virginia
HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, JR., New Jersey
EDWARD M. KENNEDY, Massachusetts
WALTER F. MONDALE, Minnesota
ALAN CRANSTON, California

BOB PACKWOOD, Oregon
JACOB K. JAVITS, New York
PETER H. DOMINICK, Colorado
RICHARD S. SCHWEIKER, Pennsylvania

MARY ELLEN MILLER, Professional Staff Member
JAY B. CUTLER, Minority Counsel

(NOTE. This report is being printed for the information of the Congress and does not necessarily reflect the views of the members of the committee.)

FOREWORD

The debate concerning the effects of marihuana has involved discussion by experts and laymen alike throughout the country. The Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, which is charged with the preliminary handling of reports and legislation in the drug abuse field, is deeply interested in this question.

This document "Marihuana and Health, Second Annual Report to Congress from the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare," which has been transmitted to the Congress and referred to this Committee provides much useful information about this controversial drug to our citizens for their education and enlightenment. It will, of course, be of great interest to Members of Congress and to state and local officials who are charged with making and recommending public policy concerning the use of marihuana.

This second report is timely and useful and I am pleased to make it available for distribution. It does not, however, necessarily reflect the views of the members of the committee.

HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, Jr., Chairman, Committee on Labor and Public Welfare.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

U.S. SENATE,

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE,
Washington, D.C., March 27, 1972.

Hon. HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, New Senate
Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Present figures indicate that approximately 24 million Americans have had some experience with marihuana; the use of this substance is clearly widespread, especially among our young people.

As you know, this is the second annual report by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on Marihuana and Health. It contains the most recent findings on the health consequences of the use of marihuana and whatever recommendations for further research the Secretary deemed appropriate. It is my hope that this report will prove to be a useful tool in the public debate on this issue by serving to educate and inform the public on the question of marihuana. Consequently, I am pleased to transmit Marihuana and Health, Second Annual Report to Congress from the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to you and to recommend its distribution by the Committee.

Sincerely,

HAROLD E. HUGHES, Chairman, Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics.