The La Guardia Committee, named after New York City’s Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, was a pioneering research group formed in 1938 to study the effects of marijuana. At a time when cannabis was demonized and heavily stigmatized, the La Guardia Committee sought to provide an objective, scientific perspective. Their report, released in 1944, was a landmark in cannabis research, as it debunked many myths, such as the belief that marijuana use led to violent behavior or addiction. The La Guardia Committee’s findings were instrumental in shaping the discourse around cannabis, challenging the Reefer Madness-era propaganda and paving the way for more nuanced discussions about cannabis policy. Today, the La Guardia Committee is often cited in debates about cannabis legalization, serving as a reminder of the importance of evidence-based research in shaping public policy. For cannabis enthusiasts and scholars alike, the La Guardia Committee’s work remains a cornerstone in the history of cannabis studies. [Source: Harvard]
The LaGuardia Committee report was an official scientific report published in 1944 that questioned the prohibition of cannabis in the United States. The report contradicted claims by the U.S. Treasury Department that smoking marijuana deteriorates physical and mental health, assists in criminal behavior and juvenile delinquency, is physically addictive, and is a "gateway" drug to more dangerous drugs.
The report was prepared by the New York Academy of Medicine, on behalf of a commission appointed in 1939 by New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who was a strong opponent of the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act.