During the administration of American President Gerald Ford (1974–1977), the president moderated the strict anti-cannabis stance of his predecessor, resigned president Richard Nixon, though this did not result in any significant weakening of federal cannabis policy.[1] In contrast with Nixon's harsh policies, Ford advocated instead reducing the harms associated with drug use.[2] Ford struck a more conciliatory tone, identifying drug users as victims of traffickers, rather than criminals.[3][4]