Led by Harry Ansliger, the Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, the federal government pursued a vigorous war on drugs in the 1930s, promoting a Uniform State Narcotic Act. Initially, only nine states adopted the act, but after a 1935 nationwide anti-marijuana media campaign (and endorsement by FDR) all states signed on.
The movie Reefer Madness was originally financed by a church group as a morality tale. However, it was subsequently purchased and re-cut for distribution in 1938. Since then, it has become somewhat of a cult phenomenon.