Lot 121
Reagan, Ronald. Autograph Letter unsigned, as Governor of California, 1½ pp (recto/verso), n.p. (Sacramento), n.d. (late 1960s). Very fine. While Governor, Ronald Reagan would use plain scratch paper to hand-write a response to a letter from a constituent; then an assistant would type the letter on the Governor's office letterhead. The initial handwritten response was usually thrown out or sent off to files after the Governor signed the typed version of the letter. This well-thought-out letter shares how the Governor felt about the use and effects of marijuana.
Written to Mike, in full: "I'm afraid you and I are still in disagreement about legalizing marijuana even with the restrictions you suggest. First of all, I doubt the people would take kindly to the idea of a govt. monopoly of any product. Limiting the THC concentration is practical, but then you have the problem of a black market to meet the demand of those who want more 'lift' than the legal limit. When beer became legal prior to the complete repeal of prohibition, bootlegging & spiking of beer was common place. The remaining point is the one about no proof of harmful effects. In our state anti drug agency there is a growing body of scientific evidence that indicates it is indeed harmful. In view of this difference of opinion dont you think we should wait until we really know one way or the other? Wouldn't we really create a big problem if we proceed with legalization & then discover marijuana is indeed harmful? If we had known the connection between tobacco & cancer before building up the great cigarette business think of the tragedies that could have been prevented. The research is going forward and we should know definitely one way or the other very soon. A little delay might be well worth our patience."
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
From a former member of Governor Reagan's staff.
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| Realized $2,875 |
