REEFER MADNESS MICHIGAN

	MEDICAL CANNABIS MEDICINES IN MICHIGAN BEFORE THE COMMING OF THE MARIHUANA LAWS
	MICHIGAN'S NEWSPAPER HEADLINES DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

What the Narc’s were claiming

Perhaps you remember the young desperado in Michigan who, a few months ago, caused a reign of terror by his career of burglaries and holdups, finally to be sent to prison for life after kidnapping a Michigan state policeman, killing him, then handcuffing him to the post of a rural mailbox.   This young bandit was a marijuana fiend.   -- American Magazine “Marijuana, Assassin of Youth” By H.J Anslinger - July 1937

In Michigan, a teen-age kid kidnapped a state policeman, killed him, and then handcuffed his body to a mailbox.   -- True Story (Magazine) Dec. 1948

Then again, the case of the young desperado in Michigan who, a few months ago, caused a reign of terror by his career of burglaries and holdups, finally to be sent to prison for life after kidnapping a Michigan state policeman, killing him, then handcuffing him to the post of a rural mailbox.   This young bandit was another marihuana fiend.   -- INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL DIGEST – Sep, 1937

In Michigan, a marijuana addict manacled a trooper to a mail post and put a bullet through his head.   -- FORUM AND CENTURY – Jan. 1939

In Michigan, Alcide Benoit, after forty robberies and two murders, was accused during his trial for murder of having committed every one of his major crimes while under the influence of marijuana.   In his murder of State Trooper Richard Hammond, Benoit knocked Hammond unconscious, fastened him to a post with his handcuffs, then calmly waited for him to regain consciousness before shooting him through the head   --- COLLIER’S - June 1949

In Michigan, a marijuana-crazed ex-convict manacled a state trooper to a rural mailbox and then shot him through the head.   -- Narcotics: America’s Peril by Will Oursler (1952)

	MORE ABOUT ALCIDE (Frenchy) BENOIT DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

"Sometime ago the silence of the state prison at Marquette, Michigan, was shattered by the sound of fusillade of pistol shots and an hour later a kindly prison doctor lay dead and beside him lay the trusty who had given his life trying to save his friend the doctor.   An investigation developed that arms and ammunition had been smuggled into the prison in the false bottoms of herring containers and that the MARIHUANA from which Tylczak, the murderer of the doctor and trusty, had derived his demoniac courage, had also been smuggled into the prison."   --- The pamphlet "the Drug Demon" 1940

Michigan.   Some time ago some Marihuana was smuggled into the state prison at Marquette.   At the same time a gun and ammunition were also Smuggled in.   From the effects of the drug one prisoner named Tyczak, shot and killed the prison doctor and a trusty.   --- Finger Print & Identification Magazine March 1938 pp3

A recent one-man riot in the Michigan State Prison at Marquette, staged by a prisoner named Tylczak, was due to marihuana and firearms smuggled into the prison.   When the smoke from the gun of the marihuana-crazed prisoner cleared, the kindly prison doctor lay dead.   Beside him was the body of a trusty who gave his life trying to protect his doctor friend.   The gun, ammunition and marihuana had entered the prison in false bottoms of herring buckets.   -- Inside detective Nov 1937

Some time ago the silence of the state prison at Marquette, Mich., was shattered by the sound of a fusillade of pistol shots.   An hour later a kindly prison doctor lay dead and beside him lay the trusty who had given his life to save his friend, the doctor.   --- An investigation developed that arms and ammunition had been smuggled into the prison in the false bottoms of herring containers.   -- It was found further that the marihuana from which Tylezak, the murderer of the doctor and the trusty, had derived his demoniacal courage had also been smuggled into the prison.   -- Denver Post – Feb 24, 1935 Sec 3 page 2

	MORE ABOUT WALTER TYLCZAK DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

NOT A FEDERAL GORE FILE CASE
What the Narc’s were claiming

In Midland, Michigan, a man named Chebatoris confessed to bank robbery and murder.   Though Michigan has no provision for capital punishment, Chebatoris was sentenced to death under Federal law and was later executed at Milan, Michigan, prison farm.   A "reefer" addict, he testified to smoking two marihuana cigarettes before "pulling the job."   -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine

In Midland, Michigan, a man named Chebatoris confessed to bank robbery and murder.   Though Michigan has no provision for capital punishment, Chebatoris was sentenced to death under Federal law and was later executed at Milan, Michigan, prison farm.   A "reefer" addict, he testified to smoking two marihuana cigarettes before "pulling the job."   -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine

A man in Michigan was executed at the prison farm for robbery and murder.   He, a reefer addict, said that he smoked two marihuanas before "pulling the job."   – Enemies Of Youth ( Book) 1939
[Museum Note:   Only one execution that took place in Michigan]

	MORE ABOUT TONY CHEBATORIS DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

Saginaw, Mich., June 6, 1967---Two Saginaw patrolmen stopped at a local restaurant to obtain food.   One officer entered the restaurant while his partner waited in their scout car.   A man followed the policeman into the restaurant and, without provocation or comment, shot the officer three times In the back killing him on the spot.   The defendant was killed by the officer's partner in an ensuing gun battle.   A companion of the murderer stated that he and the dead defendant had parked across the street from the restaurant and smoked a number of marihuana cigarettes.   When the police car pulled up in front of the restaurant, the murderer announced he was going to kill one of the officers for kicks.  -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct 29, 1967---A man pulled Into a drive-in parking lot and, without provocation, shot and seriously wounded four patrons.   The suspect was under the influence of marihuana at the time of this shooting and has a long record of habitual marihuana use.   -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

Saginaw, Mich., January-February 1967--- Two men robbed two elderly women at gunpoint.   On February 2, 1967, one of these men and another companion forced their way into the home of a doctor.   The suspects sexually assaulted the physician's 65-year old wife, then bludgeoned the doctor and his wife to death with a hammer.   They shot both dead bodies several times and left them lying in the house.   The original two criminals were arrested.   One admitted using marihuana to get up his nerve before both of the above crimes, the other admitted using marihuana, just before the armed robbery.   -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

During March 1952, four youths, the youngest sixteen, robbed and murdered a filling station attendant at Detroit, Mich.   When three of the youths were later arrested at Kirkwood, Mo., 23 marihuana cigarettes were found in their possession.   They admitted having smoked marihuana just prior to committing this atrocious crime.   During the trial for murder in December 1952, a defense effort was made to show that they should not be found guilty because they were so strongly under the influence of marihuana that they didn't know what they were doing.   The jury refused to accept this as a defense found them all guilty of murder in the first degree.   The person who was their source of supply for marihuana was apprehended by agents of the Bureau of Narcotics and later convicted.   -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1952)

CHELSEA, MICH. - On August 26, 1937, a narcotic officer and State officers destroyed approximately 25,000 marihuana plants from 6 to 12 feet in height growing on a farm near Chelsea.   Mich.   There was no evidence that any of the tenants of the farm recognized the weed until a guest identified it as marihuana.   From the appearance of the patches the marihuana had evidently been planted by a former tenant.

Michigan - Ann Arbor, Mich., Aug 20, 1967----A hitchhiker jumped in front of an oncoming car in an attempt to commit suicide.   He was later arrested and admitted he had been under the influence of marihuana at the time of this suicide attempt.  -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

NOT A FERDERAL GORE FILE CASE
What the Narc’s were claiming
What Robert Devine was claiming:
Michigan, Highland Park
Another in Michigan.   Three boys confessed to a criminal attack on a woman.   The elder confessed other attacks, and gave as the reason that he was "high" on marihuana.   This is one more proof that sex passion is aroused by marihuana.   But more of that in another chapter.   ---- Book 1939– Enemies Of Youth

Three youths confessed to Highland Park, Michigan, police that they had criminally attacked a 26-year-old girl after forcing her escort from the car in which they were parked.   The three lads were 20, 18 and 16 years of age.   The elder of the trio confessed, attacks upon two other women whom he forced into an alley at 3 a. m. a few days before his arrest.   This lad had been arrested four times previously and had served a prison term for disturbing the peace.   He stated that marihuana cigarettes were responsible for his criminal career.   His confession of marihuana addiction is one more proof of the fact that sex passion aroused by the use of marihuana is uncontrollable.   But it does not erase from the minds of his victims the horror of their experiences, nor rid them of the results of his marihuana madness.   -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine

On Monday, April 4, 1938, three youths confessed to Highland Park, Michigan, police that they had criminally attacked a 26-year-old girl on February 11. after forcing her escort from the car in which they were parked.   The three lads were 20, 18 and 16 years of age.   The elder of the trio confessed attacks upon two other women whom he forced into an alley at 3 a. m. a few days before his arrest.   This lad had been arrested four times previously and had served a prison term for disturbing the peace.   He stated that marihuana cigarettes were responsible for his criminal career.   His confession of marihuana addiction is one more proof of the fact that sex passion aroused by the use of marihuana is uncontrollable.   But it does not erase from the minds of his victims the horror of them experiences, nor rid them of the results of his marihuana madness.   -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine

Three Youths Tell of Attack in Auto
Confessions Given to Suburb’s Police
Three youths confessed to Highland Park police Monday that they a twenty-six-year-old mother on Feb. 11 after using a gun to force her escort from a parked car in which they were sitting on Manor Ave. near Eight Mile Road. She was then driven somewhere in Oakland County in her escort’s car, police said.

Following the confessions, the youths were turned over to Capt. Don S. Leonard, of the State Police, in whose presence the victim identified the prisoners.

They gave their names as Smith 20 years old, who had been living in a trailer at Cortland and Hamilton aves., Highland Park; George Westmoreland, 18, of 35 Leslie Ave and John Kutni, 16, of 324 Glendale Ave., Highland Park, police said.

Capt. Leonard said that Smith also had confessed an attempted attack on two other women whom he forced into an alley at 3 a.m. Saturday as they were walking at Hamilton and Richton Aves. Smith told Leonard that marijuana cigarets were responsible for his criminal career. He had been arrested four times previously and had served 60 days for disturbing the peace, Leonard said. The three will face charges in Oakland County.

What Robert Devine was claiming:
In Detroit, a twenty-three-year-old boy was arrested on a robbery charge and possession of a gun.   He confessed to a dozen holdups but claimed they were all committed when he was "high" on marihuana, but some he did not remember, the time and place for he was "too high" from smoking marihuana.   --- Book 1939– Enemies Of Youth

John Sienkiewicz, a 23-year-old Detroit, Michigan, lad, was arrested on a charge of robbery, armed.   The young man confessed to half a dozen holdups and burglaries, but claimed they were all committed while he was under the influence of marihuana.   "I always smoked the weed before I pulled a job because it kept me from being nervous," he said to police investigators.   John stated that he could not remember when or where some of his holdups were committed, because he was "too high" from smoking marihuana.   He was able to give descriptions of other crimes, committed when he was not under influence of the drug.   -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine

On March 18, 1938, John Sienkiewiscz, a 23-year old Detroit, Michigan, lad, was arrested on a charge of robbery, armed.   The young man confessed to half a dozen holdups and burglaries, but claimed they were all committed while he was under the influence of marihuana.   "I always smoked the weed before I pulled a job because it kept me from being nervous," he said to police investigators.   John stated that he could not remember when or where some of his holdups were committed, because he was "too high" from smoking marihuana.   He was able to give descriptions of other crimes, committed when he was not under the influence of the drug.   -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine

In Detroit, a twenty-three-year-old boy was arrested on a robbery charge and possession of a gun.   He confessed to a dozen holdups but claimed they were all committed when he was "high" on marihuana, but some he did not remember, the time and place for he was "too high" from smoking marihuana.   -- The History of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 By David F. Musto, M.D., New Haven, Conn.

A fifteen-year-old girl was arrested in a marihuana "den" in Detroit to which she had been lured by her male companions.   – Survey Graphic (Magazine) April 1938

A fifteen-year-old girl who has disappeared is discovered in a marihuana hangout of young toughs in Detroit.   -- Narcotic Agent: by Maurice Helbrant (book) 1941

Not long ago a fifteen-year-old girl ran away from her home in Muskegon, Mich. , to be arrested later in company with five young men in a Detroit marijuana den.   A man and his wife ran the place.   -- American Magazine “Marijuana, Assassin of Youth” By H.J Anslinger - July 1937

In Detroit, Michigan, a fifteen-year-old girl was picked up with five men in a marihuana den.   'This pretty and attractive youngster had run away from her home in a near-by small town, where she had first learned to use "Mary Warners" while attending school.   -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine

In Detroit, Michigan, a fifteen-year-old girl was picked up with five men in a marihuana den.   This pretty and attractive youngster had run away from her home in a near-by small town, where she had first learned to use "Mary Warners" while attending school.   Had I space in these pages to give in detail the incredibly sordid stories describing the experiences of girls who run away from home to co-habit with the most debauched and degraded scum of black, white and yellow humanity, my readers would be shocked beyond measure.   -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine

A 15-year-old Michigan girl ran away from home and was later arrested in a “marihuana den" in Detroit, where she had been lured by her male companions.   -- MARIHUANA; The New Dangerous Drug (pamphlet) by Frederick T. Merrill 1950 version

	MORE ABOUT THE TEENAGE RUNAWAY DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

A college graduate, allegedly crazed by the continued use of marihuana cigarettes, brutally murdered her closest friend by pumping five bullets into her breast.   Voluntarily giving herself up, she would offer no reason for her premeditated, cold-blooded act.   Psychiatrists sought in vain to pierce her sullen silence by repeated interviews with her in her cell.   To a schoolgirl friend she is alleged to have given the clue which science failed to secure.   "Leave cigarettes alone, kiddo, and, whatever you do, never, never smoke 'reefers'; see what they have done for me? Nobody will ever know how often I have wanted to kill my Dad.   I've got the best Dad in all the world, girlie, but I've had to fight myself for months to keep from killing him." Two days later she committed suicide in her cell!   -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine

One University girl, in Michigan, under the influence of this dire drug killed her chum, another girl, with a knife and later committed suicide.   --1938 – Marihuana –weed of madness/Killer Weed

In Michigan, a college girl stabbed her dearest friend to death and then killed herself.   -- On the Trail of Marihuana the Weed of Madness (1939) By Earle Rowell

Passers-by gasped in horror as a scream drew their attention to the body of a boy hurtling downward from an upstairs window of his home.   Those who reached him almost as soon as he crashed upon the ground expected to find a corpse.   He was not dead, however.   Willing hands tenderly lifted him and an older sister, evidently the only other occupant of the house at the time, took charge of him until the arrival of a physician.
Little hope was held out for his recovery.   For months he survived the terrible fall, though so broken in body as to be a helpless invalid.   But apparently something more than his body was affected.   Those nearest him noticed a marked change in his demeanor.   He seemed possessed of a terrible fear.   He dreaded being left alone, even with his sister in the house.
Months after his death that sister , allegedly crazed by the continued use of marihuana cigarettes, brutally murdered her closest friend .   It began then to be whispered about that her brother had not fallen from the window by accident but that, in one of her moments of marihuana madness, she had pushed him to his death.   "Only that," said the gossips, "could explain his fear of being left alone in the house with her from the time of his 'accident' to the day of his death."
His sister, following the shocking and cold-blooded murder of her friend, would give authorities no reason for her premeditated act.   Psychiatrists sought in vain to pierce the problem by repeated interviews with her in her cell.   To a schoolgirl friend she is alleged to have given the clue which science failed to secure. "Leave cigarettes alone, kiddo, and, whatever you do, never, never smoke 'reefers'; see what they have done for me.   Nobody will ever know how often I have wanted to kill my Dad.   I've got the best Dad in all the world, girlie, but I've had to fight myself for months to keep from killing him."
Next day she committed suicide in her cell!   -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine

	MORE ABOUT HOPE MORGAN DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

Michigan - Detroit, Mich., Jan 15, 1968 ---- Seven men were charged with the rape of a 19-year-old girl after an all night drinking and Marihuana Party.   When police raided the home where the party had been held, they found a number of marihuana cigarettes as well as a jar of marihuana.  -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

Michigan -Ann Arbor, Mich., Aug 27, 1967 ---A 19-year old habitual marihuana user was arrested for kidnapping and murder.   He admitted he had used marihuana just prior to the incident.   He also confessed to several unsolved breaking and entering cases, and vicious assaults all committed while under the Influence of marihuana.   -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

Michigan - In October 1943 in Detroit, Mich. , Prison sentence given for claiming use of marihuana to evade military service, Gad Sam Holland was sentenced in Federal Court to 5 years' imprisonment on a charge of attempting to evade induction into the Armed Services by smoking marihuana cigarettes to make him physically unfit before appearing for his examination, and by giving false statements that he was addicted to the use of marihuana.   - After Holland was rejected by his Selective Service Board because he informed them of his use of marihuana, narcotic agents investigated his case which resulted in the conviction.   -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1943)

	MORE ABOUT GAD SAM HOLLAND DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

MICHIGAN - Detroit   On October 24, 1935, acting upon information that several marihuana peddlers were selling marihuana cigarettes to soldiers at Selfridge Field, Michigan, Narcotic Agents at Detroit, accompanied by an Army Corporal observed one Ose Abraham, alias Abraham Hallil, as he was in the act of selling 3 marihuana cigarettes to a patron of the Whippet Cafe.   Abraham then sold 2 marihuana cigarettes to the bartender of the cafe and 6 marihuana cigarettes to the Agent.   He was then arrested.   The Agents and the Army Corporal then proceeded to another section of the City and arrested Edward Rodriguez after purchasing 6 marihuana cigarettes from him, Abraham was held for prosecution.   Rodriguez pleaded guilty and will be sentenced.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File

MICHIGAN - Detroit On October 25, 1935 , the same Narcotic Agents, accompanied by an enlisted man from Selfridge Field, went to the Harris Grill in Detroit and there purchased 3 marihuana cigarettes, from Alee Mohammed, alies Lee Mo, and William Handerson.   The defendants were held for prosecution.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File

	MORE ABOUT ALEE MOHAMMED DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

Michigan - Detroit, Mich., Nov 8, 1967 ---A 19 year old man was arrested for murdering his 3-month old daughter.   His wife told homicide detectives her husband was a constant marihuana user and had been under its Influence when he beat their Infant daughter to death with his hands.   -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

Detroit, Mich.-A 19-year-old man was arrested for murdering his 3 month-old daughter.   His wife told homicide detectives her husband was a constant marihuana user and had been under its influence when he beat their infant daughter to death using his hands.   --- FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Nov 1968

“Father Is Arraigned In Slaying of Infant”
“A 19-year-old youth stood mute Friday when he was arraigned in Recorder’s Court on a charge of beating his 3-month-old daughter to death.
Visiting Judge Richard D. Dunn of Dearborn Heights entered a plea of innocent for Ronald D. Pickard, 19, of 1121 W. Canfield. Pickard’s Wife, Susan, 19, told Detectives Charles Schlachter and Robert Smith of the Homicide Bureau that Pickard appeared at Apartment about 5 a.
She said he was acting strangely and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.   Frightened, she made him promised he would not harm her before she let him into the apartment
As soon as he was inside the door, he began shouting and twisted her arm, Mrs. Pickard said.   When the baby, Leiyla, began to cry, Pickard said he would destroy the child, she added.
Mrs. Pickard said Pickard ran into the bedroom and began beating the baby.   She fled to the neighboring apartment of William Bullard.
Bullard and another neighbor restrained Pickard until police arrived.   The baby died in Children’s Hospital Thursday.   Her skull had been fractured.
Pickard was returned to the County Jail to await examination on second-degree murder charges Nov. 20, Assistant Prosecutor James N. Garber recommended that Pickard be given a psychiatric examination.

DETROIT, MICH. - Between July 15 and August 9, 1937, the Detroit Police Department destroyed several tons of marihuana found growing partly wild and partly under cultivation in various vacant lots and back yards in the city of Detroit, the amounts in the several plots ranging from 20 to 3,360 pounds.

MICHIGAN'S
UNSOLVED GORE FILE CASES

	MEDICAL CANNABIS MEDICINES IN MICHIGAN BEFORE THE COMMING OF THE MARIHUANA LAWS
	MICHIGAN'S NEWSPAPER HEADLINES DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA

REEFER MADNESS MUSEUM BACK TO MAIN INDEX