Alexandra Chasin is an associate professor at The New School. Her new book [Assassin of Youth: A Kaleidoscopic History of Harry J. Anslinger's War on Drugs](https://www.amazon.com/Assassin-Youth-Kaleidoscopic-History-Anslinger%C2%92s/dp/022627697X) is a biography of America's first drug czar who popularized the term 'marijuana' and ushered in the Reefer Madness period of drug prohibition. A master propagandist prone to demonizing ethnic and immigrant groups, Anslinger's ideas laid the foundation for the modern drug war and brought awareness of cannabis to the American masses.

 

Alexandra and I talked about the Harrison Act, how America was scandalized by wild 'marijuana parties,' and the analogues between coming out as queer and coming out as a stoner.

Episode 08: Alexandra Chasin, author of a biography of America's first drug czar Harry J. Anslinger who coined the term 'marijuana'

Stoner is a freewheeling conversation that often starts with "when was the first time you ever smoked weed?" and can end up anywhere. Guests range from artists to musicians to those working in the marijuana economy. Host Aaron Lammer is also the co-host of the Longform Podcast and has co-written songs with Francis and the Lights for artists like Chance the Rapper and Drake.

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Medicine

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Stoner is taking a hiatus so I can write a book for Ten Speed based on this podcast! Gonna re-run some of my favorite Season 1 episodes over the holidays, then back with new episodes in 2019 after the book is turned in.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT + Francis Starlite Rerun

Ross Simonini is the the author of The Book of Formation  and the longtime interviews editor of The Believer.  We talked about touring in bands, cults, and self-restrictions.

Episode 42: Ross Simonini,  writer and artist

Elise McDonough is the author of *Bong Appétit* and *The High Times Cannabis Cookbook.* She lives in Santa Cruz.

Episode 41: Elise McDonough, author of Bong Appétit

Matt Taibbi discovered a longtime acquaintance had a secret life as a marijuana kingpin, sending product all over the United States in car trunks. With his anonymous co-author, he collaborated on 'The Business Secrets of Drug Dealing,' an intimate and detailed account of the business of grey legal marijuana.

Episode 40: Matt Taibbi, co-writer of The Business Secrets of Drug Dealing

Ann Friedman is a longtime "casual but committed " marijuana fan and a writer in Los Angeles. She co-hosts Call Your Girlfriend with previous Stoner guest Aminatou Sow.

Episode 08: Alexandra Chasin, author of a biography of America's first drug czar Harry J. Anslinger who coined the term 'marijuana'

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