USE OF LSD

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00144971
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 22, 2024
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: December 1, 1953

1 December 195,
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Inspector General
SUBJECT: Use of LSD
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1. Pursuant to your request, Dr.. Willis Gibbons, Chief, TSS,
was contacted on the evening of 30 Nov-E..mber 1953 concerning points
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hereinafter noted.
2. Dr. Gibbons has impounded all LSD material in CIA Head-
quarters in a safe adjacent to his desk. No one else has the combi-
nation to this safe; the material was so impounded on 29 November
1053..
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� 3. Dr. Gibbons stated that his stopping any LSD tests which
� may have been iniaituted or contemplated unT3er CIA auspices. A '
� cable will be sent to the field on 1 December 1953 to this effect.
4. Only tv.ro.(2) field stations., Manila and Atsu:;i, have LSD
material. There is none in Germany although Mr. William Harvey
recently expressed interest in the subjvct; A cable to the field on
� 1 December 1953 instruct the field as to non-use and request
data as to how much is on hand and who has custody and access.
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5. CIA has furnished a limited quantity of LSD to Mr. George
White, Chief of New York District, Narcotics Division, Treasury
Department.. Dr. Gibbons does not now know the exact amount in
Mr. White's possession. White is fully cleared according to Dr.
Gibbons.
6. In summary, LSD material over which CIA has or had -
distributive responsibility is located in four places: (ii) Dr. Gibbons'
safe, (b) Manila, (c) Atsugi, and (d) that in possession or George
White. Exact amounts in each location arc not yet available.
� 7. There are several "grants in aid" units and individuals in
the United States doing research with LSD. None of these received
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material from CIA; some know of the CIA interest and furnish reports
to CIA. Only volunteers are used. While se:ne of the work is done
with knowled;e of CIA interest, it does not appear to be done uilder the
aUspices of CIA.
8. Dr. Gibbons said there is very little or no correspondence,
either internal or external on the subject, but that he would collest
such as existed for the Inspector General.
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9. Dr. Gibbons was also asked to collect and have carried to the
Inspector General all reports on the use and effects of LSD. He thought
by this definition he would have a drawer full of papers.
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10. Dr. Gibbons was asked. to prepare a list of known clinical
grants in aid units and individunlsAn this country enr;aged in LSD re-
search. It appears that Dr. Abramson has experimented with this
drug. � �
11. Dr. Gibbons was not clear as to the mechanics of CIA acqui-
sition of LSD but said he would get the answers. The material is not
under Federal U.S. Governmental.Control to the best of his kno..vledge
It is an ex;krimentra ciru:;, and as such, is not allowed to be soli in
this country. Most LSD obtained by CIA comes from the Eli Lilly
Company with head offices in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Gibbons
thought some might have been obtained from other parties but he. was
not certain.. The Eli Lilly Company apparently makes a gift of it to
CIA. Dr. Gibbons Nwas not certain whether the company brought it
here, to a cut-out arrangement, or whether if is picked up in Indi-
anapolis. The manner of receipting for the material is not clear.
12. An'swers to the questions asked by the Inspector General
,which are not given by the above are being obtained by Dr. Gibbons
and will be furnished as soon as he is able to .get them to this Staff.
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Chief, Inspection and Review
Distribution:
Orig. E... 1: addressee �
1: MR Subject file
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