LSD, JFK, CIA, RFK?

[Tim Strzechowski]

You're right, Paul.  In fact, the *RFK* moniker would've perhaps been
more appropriate for the subject line:

"The decision to curtail LSD experimentation was the subject of a
congressional probe into the organization and coordination of federal
drug research and regulatory programs.  The inquiry in the spring of
1966 was led by Senator Robert Kennedy (D-N.Y.), whose wife, Ethel,
reportedly underwent LSD therapy with Dr. Ross MacLean (a close
associate of Captain Hubbard's) at hollywood Hospital in Vancouver.
Senator Kennedy asked officials of the FDA and the NIMH to explain why
so many LSD projects were suddenly canned.  When they evaded the the
issue, Kennedy became annoyed.  "Why if they were worthwhile six months
ago, why aren't they worthwhile now?" he demanded repeatedly.  The
dialogue seesawed back and forth, but no satisfactory answer was
forthcoming.  "Why didn't you just let them continue?" asked the
senator.

[ . . . ]

"Kennedy insinuated that the regulatory agencies were attempting to
thwart potentially valuable research.  He stressed the importance of a
balanced outlook with respect to LSD: "I think we have given too much
emphasis and so much attention to the fact that it can be dangerous and
that it can hurt an individual who uses it ... that perhaps to some
extent we have lost sight of the fact that it can be very, very helpful
in our society if used properly."

Lee and Shlain, _Acid Dreams_ (p. 93)



Paul Mackin wrote:

> Oh yeah, Mary Pinchot had been the wife of Cord Meyer of CIA renoun
> and then had an affair with Leary and perhaps was married to him for a
> while. Leary was suspected probably not very seriously of being a CIA
> agent because of the Pinchot connection. Meyer by the way was Ben
> Bradlee's brother in law. Bradlee was Washington Post editor and
> famous for Pentagon Papers publication and directing  the Watergate
> investigative reporting. In a related angle the CIA contemplated
> slipping Castro LSD while he was making one of his speeched but
> dropped idea because of uncertainty over individual reactions to the
> drug. Kennedy had no doubt had an affair with Mary Meyer. He did with
> everyone else.
>
>                 P.
>
>
>
> Paul Mackin wrote:
>
>> I just thought of an obvious connection between JFK and LSD. Mary
>> Pinchot a friend of JFK and his wife was shot and killed on the C&P
>> towpath. Pichot had been connected with Leary in a way  I don't
>> precisely remember.  Should look it up. It may be in the Hollander
>> essay. Feeling conspiratorial this morning.
>>
>>                                                 P.
>> Paul Mackin wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > Tim Strzechowski wrote:
>> >
>> >>  By the way, who the hell first put JFK on the subject line of
>> >>  this thread?  We
>> >>  haven't discussed anything regarding JFK directly, have we?  It's
>> >>  all so
>> >>  disconcerting!
>> >
>> > Thought it was you adding to Wood Jim on who was doing what with
>> > LSD in the early 60s inluding the CIA.  The inclusion of the JFK
>> > initials made it sound like  a takeoff on or echo of on the Charles
>> > Hollander essay. All in all it was quite an appropriate thread
>> > title for Doug and my discusion which had actually started under
>> > another heading.
>> >
>> >                 P.
>>