The Propaganda and Misinformation Surrounding Cannabis in Early Cinema

In the 1930s, a significant part of early cinema was used as a platform for propaganda and misinformation, particularly in the case of a film with the original title 'Tell Your Children.' This movie, intended to be a morality tale, was actually a tool to influence public perception and attitudes toward cannabis consumption. The aim was to scare and manipulate the audience into believing harmful falsehoods about cannabis, a strategy that was widely used during that period.

Origins and Early Purpose

The film 'Tell Your Children' was originally produced under the auspices of a church group. Its initial purpose was educational, intended to warn parents about the dangers of cannabis use. The movie was meant to be a tool for moral guidance, aiming to convince parents to keep their children away from this substance. However, it was later repurposed by producer Dwain Esper, who reworked the film to cater to different audiences. Instead of focusing on the original moral message, the film was reedited to exploit vulgar and exploitative interest, bypassing censorship under the guise of providing moral guidance.

The Role of Government and Propaganda

The production of the film was significantly incentivized by the U.S. government. This reflects a broader trend in the 1930s and early 1940s where the government supported the creation of propaganda to influence public opinion. It was during this period that Richard Nixon himself contributed to the misinformation, albeit unintentionally, when he made incorrect claims about cannabis's dangers. The film 'Tell Your Children' is a prime example of how government funding and incentives were used to spread biased and inaccurate information about cannabis use.

The Dark Side of Public Entertainment

The film's transformation from a church-sponsored educational tool to a vulgar exploitation film highlights the dark side of public entertainment during this era. Its original intent was to teach parents about the dangers of cannabis, but its later repurposing under Dwain Esper's supervision turned it into a tool for exploiting public fear and exploiting legal loopholes. This misuse of film as a medium for propaganda reflects a broader pattern of manipulation and misinformation used by both government entities and private producers to control public opinion.

Personal Reflections from a Narcotics Officer

From personal experience, I spent three years as a narcotics officer in Albuquerque in the late seventies. During this time, I witnessed firsthand the misuse of media and government resources to propagate fear and misinformation about drugs, particularly cannabis. The tactics used in the production and distribution of 'Tell Your Children' echo the strategies employed today, where media and government agencies work together to shape public perception through insidious means. This raises important questions about the role of entertainment and information in shaping public opinion and the need for critical thinking and skepticism.

Conclusion

The film 'Tell Your Children' and its subsequent repurposing is a stark reminder of the manipulation and misinformation that has long been used to shape public perception and attitudes toward cannabis. From government incentives and propaganda to the exploitation of cinema for vulgar interest, the strategies used to spread misinformation are as persistent as they are insidious. It is crucial to critically evaluate the sources and messages we receive, especially when they come from entities that have an ulterior motive to influence public opinion.

Keywords: Propaganda, Cannabis Propaganda, Early Cinema