The On Drugs Library
As our About page explains, we take the subscription fees and pour it back into this Newsletter to generate high quality, original content. Nonetheless, consistent with the purpose of the newsletter, most content published is free. We are currently using subscription revenue to fund archival retrievals, FOIA requests, and other content purchases for stories. In the interests of full transparency, we’re showing you the receipts.
Our first wave of FOIA requests and archival requests are beginning to bear fruit. So it is time to introduce the On Drugs Library. This Library contains the documents we obtain. There is some interesting (and non-interesting) items in here that we just don’t have the time to write about.
We continue to make archival requests and FOIA requests to write new stories and add documents to this library. You can help support us generating original content and grow this library by becoming a paid subscriber.
(Updated 9/28/22)
Benzodiazepines Hearings
Description: Response to FOIA request to FDA for “all transcripts, exhibits, and agency decisions or guidance that relate to the Part 15 public hearing held on September 11, 1997. in "Benzodiazepines and Related Substances; Criteria for Scheduling Recommendations Under the Controlled Substance Act; Notice of Public Hearing Modification" described at 62 Fed. Reg. 33418 and 62 Fed. Reg. 45667.”
DEA Presentation and Poster re: Scheduling
Description: Two files received from a FOIA request to DEA.
Carbonaro, TM (2021) Evaluating Drug Abuse Liability: Applying Pharmacology Data to Drug Scheduling Actions (seminar presentation); and
Carbonaro, TM, Tella SR, Boos, TL (2021) The Controlled Substances Act Regulations on Schedule I Researcher Registrations and the Need to Investigate New Substances of Abuse.
Five Tryptamines
Description: Hundreds of documents filed in the Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4-hydroxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (4-OH-DiPT), 5-methoxy-alpha-methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT), 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT), 5-methoxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DET), and N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (DiPT) in Schedule I (“Five Tryptamines”) matter.
The Bright Green Files
Description: Documents obtained from a New Mexico open records request for court filings in the two lawsuits involving Bright Green.
Transcript of an August 2017 Shareholder’s Meeting of Sunnyland Farms, Inc. (Part 1)
Transcript of an August 2017 Shareholder’s Meeting of Sunnyland Farms, Inc. (Part 2)
The John Dean Files
Description: Archival documents obtained from the Nixon Archives belonging to John Dean that relate to drug policy, including the formation of the CSA.
Political cartoon
List of BNDD foreign training schools
Letter from Montgomery County (Md.) Council Concerning the Rape of Our People by Degenerative Drugs
August 9, 1972 Memorandum relating to a legal dispute as to NORML Petition to Decontrol Marihuana or Place it in Schedule V of CSA (enclosing August 7, 1972 memorandum)
August 4, 1972 Memorandum relating to NORML Petition to Remove Marihuana from Control or Place in Lowest Schedule
August 4, 1972 Memorandum on proposed BNDD Action on Petition to Reschedule Marihuana
August 3, 1972 Memorandum on Petition to Reschedule Marihuana - BNDD Proposed Action
Treaty Obligations of the United States Relating to Marihuana
July 26, 1972 Decision of Department of Justice refusing to accept Petition to Remove Marihuana from Control or in the Alternative to Control Marihuana in Schedule V
Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs 1961
May 18, 1972 NORML Petition to Reschedule Marihuana.
Feb. 2, 1973 newspaper article and handwritten speech notes for graduation.
December 20, 1971 letter to John Dean from Warren Iliff
List of BNDD training schools
Proposed speech at the graduation of the Narcotics Course being conducted by the US Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
October 7, 1970 letter from Kenly Webster enclosing materials relating to drug abuse in the armed services.
October 14, 1970 statement by Arthur Allen re: Drug Abuse by members of the Armed Forces
September 16, 1970 response to request for assistance regarding “Operation Awareness", a drug treatment program at Fort Bragg
July 24, 1970 Report of Task Group Convened to Recommend Appropriate Revisions to DoD Policy on Drug Abuse
Note from Mike [Sonnenreich?] to Dean enclosing views of a “Radic-Lib”
March 15, 1972 Memorandum from Perry Rivkind to John Dean with BNDD’s revised schedule of foreign training schools
November 10, 1971 Memorandum from Liddy to Erlichman entitled "“Breaking the Connection” on drug dealers, and handwritten notes
Correspondence from 1971
July 13, 1971 memorandum re: Opportunities for Private Sector Involvement in Combatting Drug Problem and materials relating to private sector investment
Program materials for the preparation of proposals for drug abuse education projects.
July 19, 1971 Memorandum to John Dean re: Private Sector Involvement in Combatting Drug Problem
June 24, 1971 Memorandum from BNDD re: Private Sector Involvement in Combatting Drug Problem
1970s brochures on combatting drug abuse and drug abuse prevention
June 4, 1971 letter from Edwards to Dean regarding National Drug Education Institute for US Dependent Schools in the European Area
May-June 1971 BNDD Bulletin
November 12, 1970 Address at the International Symposium on Drug Abuse
November 16, 1970 Memorandum re: Suppression of the Sale of Heroin within the United States
Assortment of documents regarding War on Heroin
December 17, 1970 Memo from Sonnenreich o Johnson re: Jurisdictional Problems in the South Pacific
Uniform Controlled Substances Act
Articles regarding Japan Drug War
Correspondence regarding drug use in Vietnam
1970 articles regarding heroin use into the US
October 27, 1970 remarks of the President upon signing of the CSA
September 30, 1970 Memorandum from Stanley Ebner to Wallace Johnson regarding Delays in Legislative Process on Drug Control Bill.
October 21, 1970 letter from Kleindienst summarizing House version of drug control bill.
October 22, 1970 draft letter to Wallace regarding DOD training
September 21, 1970 letter from President of American Public Health Association
Papers relating to 10-Week school at the BNDD National Training Institute
Statement by the President on Signing the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970
March 11, 1970 Statement by the President
July 14, 1969 Statement by the President
September 17, 1970 Memorandum for Magruder regarding placing Librium-Valium article
BNDD Military School itinerary
Special agent training graduation materials
Letter from Congressman Wiggins to Dean regarding amendment to drug control bill regarding amphetamines
Papers on marijuana with handwritten notes, including papers by Andrew Weil
Papers on marijuana
September 10, 1970 Memorandum from Wallace Johnson regarding status of drug bill
September 10, 1970 Memorandum by John Dean for Attorney Genearl regarding Drug Bill
No Knock and Nonsense, an Alleged Constitutional Problem
August 18, 1970 Memo from Sonnenreich to Dean summarizing Drug Abuse Bill
August 21, 1970 NY Post Article
Address by Ingersoll to Special Agent Class #10 and handwritten notes
April 20, 1970 Letter from Hoffman-La Roche enclosing Congressional Record
Bureau of Dangerous Drugs, Part 300.
December 21, 1970 letter from Sonnenreich to Dean enclosing floor debates on the Drug Bill
February 9. 1970 Memorandum from Sonnenreich to Dean including FDC reports describing legislative hearings.
April 24, 1970 Memorandum to John Dean from Wayman Sherrer re: Comments concerning proposed Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act
April 17, 1970 Memorandum regarding proposed changes to Senate drug abuse bill
Letter from Eugene T. Rossides to Rep. Silvio Conte
April 19, 1970 Letter from Deputy Attorney General Kleindiest to Director of Budget Robert Mayo regarding drug abuse bill
S. 3246 “Controlled Dangerous Substances Act of 1969” summary
April 17, 1970 Memorandum for Bud Krogh
March 24, 1970 Memorandum from Stanley Ebner to John Dean regarding drug abuse bill
May 21, 1969 Memorandum from Sonnenreich to Dean regarding comments received from Malincrodkt Chemical Company
June 9, 1969 Memorandum from Michael Sonnenreich to John Dean discussing Congressman Poff’s letter to the Attorney General relating to drug bill
May 21, 1969 letter from Richard Poff to Attorney General Mitchell regarding drug bill
June 6, 1969 letter to John Dean from Louis Nichols
Summary of HEW Staff Views of Justice Department Draft Bill
June 13, 1969 letter from Lou Frey to John Dean enclosing chart.
April 24, 1969 letter from John Wells to John Mitchell enclosing bill provisions
March 20, 1969 letter from Wells to Mitchell regarding bill provisions and attached memorandum from Hoffman-La Roche regarding Librium and Valium
Leary v. United States opinion
March 20, 1969 letter from Wells to Mitchell regarding bill provisions and attached memorandum from Hoffman-La Roche regarding Librium and Valium
July 2, 1969 Memorandum to the Attorney General from John Dean
March 13, 1969 Memorandum from Will Wilson to the Attorney General re: drug bill
May 7, 1969 Memorandum from Michael Sonnenreich to John Dean re: drug bill
June 13, 1969 letter from Corber to Revercomb enclosing materials on importation of narcotics and antitrust issues
December 4, 1969 memorandum from Hugh Durham to John Dean re: Amendment to Marihuana Tax Act to cure Leary Defect
May 23, 1969 note regarding Senator Cook and establishment of a National Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Institute, including discussion of Mitch McConnell, aide to Senator Cook
October 18, 1969 letter from Sen. Mathias to Pres. Nixon
September 24, 1969 correspondence from Donald Miller to John Dean re: Automobile forfeiture policy.
September 22, 1969 letter from William Ryan to John McCarren re: Regulations regarding civil forfeiture
January 16, 1969 Memorandum re: Sec. 409 of Controlled Dangerous Substances Act of 1969
June 24, 1969 Memorandum from Michael Sonnenreich to John Dean re: Recommendations of Treasury Department on Controlled Substances Dangerous Substances Act bill
August 26, 1969 Memorandum from Michael Sonnenreich to John Dean re: committee to investigate marihuana
January 25, 1970 handwritten note about legalizing marijuana
News article
January 28, 1970 letter from John Dean to Lamar Alexander forwarding draft letter
February 3, 1970 Memorandum from Robert Blakey to Michael Sonnenreich re: “preponderance of the evidence”
FDC Reports
May 14, 1970 letter from John Dean to :James Menger answering questions about drug bill
Various letters from John Dean
April 17, 1970 Memorandum from Bud Krogh to John Dean regarding Congressional Conference on Drugs
April 28, 1970 Memorandum from Michael Sonnenreich to John Dean regarding AMA’s objections to drug bill
May 4, 1970 Memorandum from John Dean to Congressman Rogers re: BOP and Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act of 1966.
Memorandum to the Attorney General on the need for one codified narcotic and dangerous drug law.
April 8, 1970 Memorandum from Michael Sonnenreich to John Dean with proposed changes to drug bill
June 15, 1970 press release on narcotics from Congressman Poff
May 28, 1970 memo re: bill on mandatory civil commitment for narcotic addicts.
Memorandum from Attorney General John Mitchell for Erlichman
August 3, 1970 FDC reports
June 13, 1969 Letter from Paul Eggers re: Marihuana and taxes
April 18, 1969 Memorandum to Kenneth Cole from Eugene Rossides re: Message on Narcotics and Dangerous drugs
April 18, 1969 Memorandum from A.E. Weatherbes to Eugene Rossides re: Removal of Narcotics Agents from Career Civil Service
April 18, 1969 Memorandum from Paul Volcker re: Message to Congress on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
September 17, 1968 Statement from Richard Nixon
April 15, 1969 Letter from Paul Eggers re: drug Bill
April 18, 1969 Memorandum for Kenneth Cole
April 18, 1969 Memorandum for President
April 14, 1969 Draft Address to Congress
April 15, 1969 letter from Paul Eggers and Treasury Department Memorandum
April 29, 1969 Memorandum to John Dean from Eugene Rossides
April 18, 1969 Memorandum to Kenneth Cole from Paul Volcker
September 17, 1968 Speech of Richard Nixon
June 4, 1969 Memorandum from Patrick Gray to Hugh Durham
May 1, 1969 letter from Theodore Ellenbogen to John Dean enclosing letter
April 30, 1969 Memorandum from from Theodore Ellenbogen to John Dean
April 12, 1969 letter from Robert Finch re: draft drug abuse bill
Staff Memorandum on Justice Department draft of drug abuse bill
April 22, 1970 letter from Sen. Thomas Dodd to Rep. John Jarman
News releases from Sen. Thomas Dodd
January 26, 1970 Memorandum from ACLU on drug bill
Meprobamate outline
Memorandum from Ingersoll to Mitchell re: Meprobamate
July 2, 1970 Memorandum from Sonnenreich to Ingersoll re: legal problems in staying control of Meprobamate
Papers from Meprobamate proceedings
July 1, 1970 Memorandum from Sonnenreich regarding Meprobamate proceedings
Memorandum from John Ingersoll to Roger Egeberg re: Staff revision of drug bill
Pages from FDC Reports
June 20, 1970 Memorandum from Ellenbogen to Black
Draft Attorney General remarks for White House Drug Conference
March 30, 1970 Memorandum from Jeb Magruder to Ziegler re: Meeting of TV Producers on Drug Abuse to try to get television networks to incorporate anti-drug themes into programming and agendas
March 11, 1970 Drug Abuse Program fact sheet
Jeb Magruder’s resume
Draft Attorney General remarks for White House Drug Conference
The Robert Randall Files
Special thanks to Perkins Coie for helping us obtain these files in the AIMS v. DEA litigation.
Description: Archival documents from Robert Randall located at the University of Wisconsin that relates to marijuana rescheduling and the federal marijuana Compassionate Access IND program where select patients got marijuana from the federal government for medical use.
Reply Brief in the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition, Dkt. 86-22
Hearing Transcript from in the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition, Dkt. 86-22’
Testimony of Robert Randall in Public Hearing on Marijuana, Dkt. 82N-0162
Affidavit of Ben S. Fine, M.D.
Affidavit of Robert S. Helper, M.D.
March 22, 1976 letter from Gary Diamond, M.D. to Ben S. Fine, M.D.
Daily Washington Law Reporter
Affidavit John C. Merrit, M.D.
Affidavit of Robert Randall
News articles, for example, “America’s only legal pot smoker”
Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics brochure
August 9, 1972 John Ingersoll
Marijuana: Medicine or Menace?
MARS: Marijuana and AIDS Research Service A Project of The Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics & Richard J. Dennis
Marijuana & AIDS: Pot, Poltiics & PWAs in America
ACT News items
March 1, 1991 Chicago Sun-Times article
Legal Access to Marijuana: The Compassionate IND Application
1990s News Articles
Affidavit of Robert S. Helper, M.D.
Marijuana Deals, Cancer Victims and Questions of Logic article
IND for Delta-9-THC dated August 28, 1978
Tetrohydrocannabinol: From Pot to Prescription?
Minutes of May 9, 1978 Meeting on the Current Status of Research with THC and Nabilone
June 28, 1983 Press Release re: State AGs Support Medical Use of Marijuana
August 24, 1983 Letter from Stewart McKinney to Bruce Chabner re: THC and marijuana research.
Paper describing controlled trial of THC and marijuana as antiemetics
April 4, 1984 Memorandum on ACT/Marijuana Legislation cases
April 23, 1983 Memorandum re: ACT lobbying efforts
April 26, 1984 Memorandum re: taking ACT as pro bono client
July 1, 1980 letter from Robert Randall to Jim Young
September 5, 1980 Memorandum re: August 25, 1980 meeting re: ACT
Memorandum from James Young to Robert Randall and Alice O’Leary re: Regulatory Barriers to the Availability of Marijuana for Therapeutic Use
August 15, 1980 Memorandum from Carole Mitchell to Jim Young re: Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana Under International Drug Control
June 15, 1983 Memorandum from Doug Herbert re: ACT
Draft corporate papers for AMAC
Randall Meeting Agenda
Correspondence relating to corporate formation
March 3, 1980 Memorandum re: Pro Bono Project
March 6, 1980 re: Pro Bono Representation of Randall Organization
February 27, 1980 Memorandum re: February 27, 1980
Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics - Statement of Purpose
May 6, 1983 letter from Robert Randall to Steptoe & Johnson
July 15, 1982 Memorandum re: ACT Schedule
December 2, 1978 speech entitled Litigation for Medical Access to Marijuana: Federal Considerations discussing Compassionate IND
August 29, 1978 letter from Peter Meyers to Tom Collier
June 30, 1978 letter from Tom Collier to Peter Meyers
June 30, 1978 Memo to File re: Potential Actions Concerning the Therapeutic Use of Marijuana
July 30, 1982 memo from Mark Hersh to Doug Herbert and Jim Young re: Challenging the FDA’s Position that an Approved NDA is a Prerequisite to the Rescheduling of a Schedule I drug and Addendum
June 22, 1982 Memorandum from Doug Herbert re: ACT/McKinney Speech to National Council on Drugs
List of those appointed to Council on Drugs committee on medical marijuana
October 11, 1980 summary from Alice O’Leary re: Federal Legislation
August 1, 1980 letter from Bob Randall to Jim Young re: Issue Evolution
Memorandum in support of Bill to Provide for Therapeutic Use of Marijuana in Situations involving Life or Sense-Threatening Illness
July 15, 1983 Memorandum from Doug Herbert re: ACT and legislative efforts
May 6, 1983 letter from Jane McGraw to Robert Randall enclosing memo
December 12, 1981 letter from Jim Young to Dr. Tocus re: Randall’s receipt of marijuana from FDA.
December 7, 1981 letter from DEA Acting Administrator Francis McMullen from DEA re: marijuana’s stocking in retail pharmacies
December 28, 1981 letter from Bob Randall to Jim Young
December 28, 1981 letter from DEA Chief Compliance Ronald Buzzo to Jim Young
November 11, 1981 letter from Jim Young to Ronald Buzzo
November 2, 1981 letter from Jim Young to Dr. Joseph Gallelli (NIH)
November 12, 1981 letter from Dale Morton to Jim Young
December 19, 1980 letter from Robert Randall to Jim Young re: Possible Supply Alterations
February 5, 1981 letter from Jim Young to Robert Randall, Alice O’Leary
February 2, 1981 letter from Jim Young to Robert Randall
January 28, 1981 letter from Richard Hawks (HHS) to John Bryston
March 9, 1981 letter form Jim Young to Richard Hawks
January 9, 1981 letter from Robert Willette (HHS) to John Ishiter
February 24, 1981 letter from Robert Randall to Jim Young re: NIDA contamination
February 24, 1981 letter from Robert Randall to Richard North
Memo from Robert Randall to Tom Collier re: Proposed Testimony Controlled Substance Advisory Committee and Chronology
Letter from Robert Randall re: Appreciation
February 20, 1978 letters from Robert Randall to Margaret Standish (Playboy) and Keith Stroup (NORML)
March 13, 1978 Randall outline and memorandum to file on judicial relief
March 1, 1978 Memorandum from Tom Collier to John Bryson re: Coordination of Randall Facts
IND Glaucoma protocol for marijuana
Glaucoma and Marijuana Therapy prepared by ACT
Legal Access to Marijuana: The Compassionate IND Application
IND Forms for obtaining marijuana
August 13, 1991 Memorandum from John Tobin to Lynn Sargent re: Preliminary Evaluation of Compassionate IND Issues enclosing
Draft August 12, 1991 memo from Kate Jones to Lynn Sargent and Steve Davidson re: Disruption of Supply of Marijuana for Compassionate IND Program
Transcript of the testimony of Mahmoud ElSohly in People v. Charles Hamilton re: University of Mississippi marijuana
May/June 1988 Drug Law Report article “Challenging Marijuana’s Schedule I Classification” by Robert Randall
GAO Investigation Request re: Marijuana
Amended Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition, Docket No. 86-22
Memorandum from In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition, Docket No. 86-22 on Impact of MDMA Scheduling on these Proceedings
January 7, 1981 Press Release re: Marijuana Supply Shortage Disrupts California Medical Program
1981 correspondence with congressmembers re: medical marijuana and pending legislation (dozens of letters)
1981 correspondence with congressmembers re: medical marijuana and pending legislation (dozens of letters)
M2014-074 b3 f24
October 1981 commonly asked questions about pending legislation to legalize medical marijuana
September 16, 1981 Congressional Record
February 14, 1983 letter from Stewart McKinney to Newt Gingrich regarding Gingrich withdrawing support for medical marijuana bill.
March 18, 1992 Memorandum from Assistant Secretary of Health Mason re: Therapeutic Marijuana — STATUS reflecting policy decision to terminate IND program
National Institute of Dental Research Factsheet on the Use of Marijuana for Chronic Pain
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Factsheet on the Therapeutic Use of Marijuana for MS
National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases Factsheet on the Therapeutic Use of Marijuana for Patients with HIV-Wasting Syndrome
Marijuana for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
National Eye Institute Factsheet on the Therapeutic Use of Marijuana for Glaucoma
April 1, 1992 Memorandum from Director of NIAID to James Mason re: termination of Therapeutic Marijuana Program and Marinol and clinical trial protocol.
Press clippings re: McKinney bill to legalize medical marijuana
September 1, 1989 letter from Frank Stillwell to John Lawn re: In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling
September 22, 1988 letter from Robert Randall to ACT Witnesses re: favorable decision from DEA ALJ
Grant awards for research relating to THC or marijuana
National Eye Institute Statement on the Therapeutic Use of Glaucoma
January 1987 Annual Report to FDA on THC
March 4, 1992 letter from Stephen Greene (DEA) to James Mason (HHS) re: marijuana rescheduling
January 31, 1992 letter from James Mason (HHS) re: Therapeutic use of marijuana — Decision
March19, 1992 note to Dr. Mason re: Marijuana letter to Pending and Clinical Hold Applications
April 23, 1992 Memorandum from Dan Spyker to Francesca Cook re: Letters to IND Investigators Receiving Marijuana enclosing letters explaining ending of IND program
May 18, 1992 letter from Louis Sullivan to Rep. Henry Waxman re: marijuana for therapeutic purposes
A Handbook on Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Drugs of Abuse
Single Convention of Narcotics Drugs
Notice of Withdrawal of Motion for Temporary Restraining Order in Randall v. USA
Answer to question “[f]or what conditions has the medical use of marijuana been allowed in the U.S.?”
March 23, 1992 letter from Rep. Waxman to Louis Sullivan (HHS)
1983 adverse drug reaction reports relating to THC produced through FOIA
Group C Guidelines for the use of THC for Nausea and Vomiting and Informed Consent
April 1985 Annual Report to FDA on THC
March 1984 Annual Report to FDA on THC
March 1982 Annual Report to FDA on THC
FOIA requests from ACT and NORML
Article on cannabinoids and glaucoma
The NIDA Contracts
Description: Documents obtained the University of Mississippi under Mississippi open records laws detailing the contractual relationship between the University of Mississippi and NIDA to cultivate marijuana for research between 2010 and 2020. These contracts contain, among other items, the Statements of Work, the size of the contract.
The DEA Seed Letter
Description: Shane asks DEA if marijuana seeds or other parts of a marijuana plant having less than .3% THC by dry weight are controlled under the CSA. DEA’s answer? No.
NIDA Drug Discrimination Study Contracts
Description: Documents obtained from a FOIA for interagency agreements among NIDA, DEA, DOJ relating to drug discrimination studies.”