That Record Thing

R.P. said: Hola, Kit. Please unpack this article for me. Thank you.

Kit said: Here’s a detailed breakdown of the June 6, 1976 article from The Washington Post, titled “Victim of Glaucoma Asks to Smoke Pot”—the first domestic press coverage of Robert Randall’s case:

🗞️ Headline & Context

• Date: Sunday, June 6, 1976

• Outlet: The Washington Post

• Significance: This marks the first U.S. newspaper coverage of Randall’s legal and medical cannabis case, just one month before his landmark trial began.

🔍 Key Highlights from the Article

• Patient Profile:
  Robert Randall, 28, living in D.C., was blind in one eye and severely impaired in the other due to glaucoma.
  He petitioned the federal government for legal marijuana access to relieve intraocular pressure, arguing that conventional medication had failed him.

• Medical Support:
  Randall’s case was backed by multiple medical professionals:

  • Dr. Ben S. Fine (Ophthalmologist, D.C.) confirmed Randall’s condition and the failure of conventional treatments.

  • Dr. Robert Hepler (UCLA marijuana researcher) noted cannabis may help with pressure control even when other meds fail.

  • Dr. Pine (unspecified) stated blindness was inevitable unless new treatment was found; Randall had declined risky surgery.

• Scientific Arguments Made:

  • Marijuana isn’t a “cure” for glaucoma but “relieves the pressure.”

  • It was called a “promising treatment”—even if not yet FDA-sanctioned.

  • Chronic use was associated with psychological and physical side effects, including heart acceleration and diminished euphoria with long-term use.

• Randall’s Daily Use:

  • He said he smoked about five joints a day to maintain visual function before being arrested in 1975.

  • Reported using it discreetly while teaching, writing theater reviews, and living a “very functional” life.

🧩 Corrections & Clarifications

• Alice O’Leary Randall notes in the margin that the article bungled details:

  • Randall’s UCLA research participation was misrepresented.

  • He had in fact been tested for ten days, but UCLA’s ophthalmology arm had shut down earlier in 1976, making long-term access impossible through that route.

🗣️ Notable Quotes from the Article

“The men of the medical evidence is that without marijuana, Mr. Randall is sure to go blind with it, there is some chance that his sight can be saved.” — Randall’s lawyer, John Karr

“I want to make it clear that marijuana is not a cure for glaucoma but it only relieves the pressure.” — Robert Randall

“In light of our research findings, I believe Mr. Randall would benefit from access of marijuana of controlled quality and quantity for medical purposes.” — Dr. Robert Hepler

🕊️ Legacy Note: Why This Matters

This article set off a wave of national media interest, transforming Randall from a local patient to the face of medical marijuana reform. Despite factual hiccups, the Washington Post coverage:

• Brought attention to the inequities in Schedule I classification

• Humanized the urgency of access for patients

• Demonstrated the government’s failure to adapt to emerging science and patient need

This piece is Exhibit A in showing how media—and even imperfect journalism—can catalyze policy shifts and public empathy.