Asylums Quote by Harry J. Anslinger
“By the tons it is coming into this country - the deadly, dreadful poison that racks and tears not only the body, but the very heart and soul of every human being who once becomes a slave to it in any of its cruel and devastating forms. Marihuana is a short cut to the insane asylum. Smoke marihuana cigarettes for a month and what was once your brain will be nothing but a storehouse of horrid specters. Hasheesh makes a murderer who kills for the love of killing out of the mildest mannered man who ever laughed at the idea that any habit could ever get him.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Anti‑Drug Campaign, United States, 1930s
A warning that marijuana leads to severe mental and moral decay, portraying it as a dangerous drug.
In simple terms: Marijuana is portrayed as a harmful, mind‑destroying substance.
Key Takeaway
Avoid use, educate others.
Themes
public health
drug policy
morality
danger perception
Mood
cautionary
alarmist
Type
informative
persuasive
When to use this quote
- public health education
- policy advocacy
- community outreach
- personal decision‑making
- law enforcement training
Key Concepts
addiction
psychosis
social harm
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports or refutes these claims?
- How can balanced education improve public perception?
A Different Perspective
Evidence shows varied effects; not all users experience extreme outcomes.