100 Years of Misinformation:
William Randolph Hearst and the impact
Heard any good news stories lately? Ever wonder why we call the news, "stories" in the first place?
Stories you absolutely believe to be true? Ones that weren’t slanted towards the left or right in some way? How about the exact same (sometimes verbatim) news at a local level that (if you did your research) you’d find at the same affiliates across the country? All in unison, all brainwashing…errr…informing us nightly.
How about news stories that are proven to be false and no corrections issued? Or even worse, have won Pulitzer prizes and still not corrected.
Why do you think that is? Even better question: Do you think that’s even the case? Has this Kelly guy lost his ever loving mind? (wait.. don't’ answer that).
Before I start a 30 page rant about that topic, I need to bring it back to focus. So, no doom and gloom about today’s news and media outlets.
Instead, we’ll talk about 100 years of doom and gloom, the impact it has had globally, and why every single Cannabis user or opponent should know the name William Randolph Hearst.
Cannabis has been a controversial topic for decades, with many people on both sides of the debate. However, did you know that much of the anti-cannabis sentiment we see today can be traced back to the 1920s and 1930s, when media mogul William Randolph Hearst launched a propaganda campaign against cannabis?
At the time, Hearst owned numerous newspapers and was a powerful figure in the media world. He also had significant investments in the timber industry, which was threatened by the growing popularity of hemp as an alternative source of paper. Can you see where this is headed?
Hearst launched a smear campaign against cannabis, using his newspapers to publish sensationalist stories about the supposed dangers of the drug. He even went so far as to commission the 1936 film "Reefer Madness," which portrayed cannabis as a dangerous and addictive substance that could drive people to madness and murder.
There are rumors that Hearst used Cannabis himself, but have never been substantiated, but let me ask you a question. How many people throughout history have scorned the masses for thing XYZ and then we find out later, they were doing XYZ all along, and filling their bank accounts along the way?
Again, do you see where this is headed? Headed in its private jet to a climate crisis seminar, or “private island” somewhere, to complain about… you…
But… Back to Hearst we go.
Hearst's anti-cannabis crusade wasn't just about protecting his business interests. He also played on the racial prejudices of the time, spreading false information about the drug's use by Mexican immigrants & African Americans.
Hearst's campaign was effective in creating a negative image of cannabis in the public mind, and it contributed to the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively criminalized the drug. Hearst's influence on the media and politics of the time played a significant role in shaping public opinion on cannabis, and his legacy can still be felt today.
In reality, the truth about cannabis is much different than what Hearst and his media empire portrayed. The drug has numerous medical benefits and has been shown to be less addictive and harmful than many legal substances like alcohol and tobacco. As we continue to debate the future of cannabis policy, it's important to remember the dark influence of figures like William Randolph Hearst and the harm that can be caused by misinformation and propaganda.
Hearst's propaganda campaign against cannabis is a cautionary tale about the dangers of media influence and the importance of seeking the truth. It’s been over 100 years of stigma based in greed, lobbyists and misinformation to serve a purpose. I think about the impacted lives through the last 100 years and it makes me sick to my stomach.
Is there a motivation for the Tobacco, Alcohol (and originally news/timber industry) to have paid off the lobbyists, who then influence (and sometimes pay off…allegedly) the politicians that write the laws?
I would imagine they all have a vested interest in keeping their competition off the market and their customers in the dark. Cookie jars will only hold so many greedy little paws.
As we move forward, it's essential to be informed and aware of the complex history and politics of cannabis prohibition, and the influence our news media, lobbyists and politicians have over the general public on any given topic. One media smear campaign has resonated for a century. Let that sink in my friends.
This is but one example, an example that anyone reading this is probably passionate about, but are there others to think about.
Let me ask you one last question.
How about the Pharmaceutical industry? Any reason they’d want to keep Cannabis illegal? Any reason why they’d want to control a narrative, regardless how much they have to pay to do so?
Can you see where this is headed?
