UNTITLED MEMO RE CONVERSATION ON BUFOTENIN

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00184436
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 21, 2025
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: May 18, 1955

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- MEMRANJUM FOR 1HE F1U
"ly
1. early in :ay, wrote to the writer and
stated he had sore information he wished to discuss with the writer
alrn lines of interest. Thc writer told him ho would Le clad to talk
to him and if he thounht he could talk on the telephone to call the
writer at the writer's expense. stated he had attended the
AFA convention at Atlantic 4ty and had recently had talks with ---.
NIH, and df the U.S.P.H.S., Lexington, Kentucky,
concerning Bufotenin. stated both and told
him-they had experimented with Bufotenin and it did not produce the
effects of the snuff that the natives of Haiti used (Cohoba). Neither
nor explained why it was not producini the results and.
stated the seeds were not prepared or roasted properly at the natives
did them. lie stated he had recently seen a friend of his,
, who lived in Haiti. He stated he talked the matter over with
him and he invited him to Haiti. This friend is friendly with the
witchdoctors or natives who make the Cohoba snuff and was certain if
came down he could talk to the natives and find out how the
snuff was made.
2. The writer then asked exactly �Ahat he felt the
writer should do at;eut it and stated if the writer or the Acency would
pay his way to 11:1-Ati he would Le very happy to rake an Investigation
in the matter and believed that this should be successful. The writer
Cl informed that he had no funda for such an experiment and he
would take the matter up with others in the Agency who would have such
funds. The writer then asked if had heard anything abouthe
C. 4' FM forms ,he had filed with the .A.:,ency and, replied in the
negative.
3. On 13 May 1955, the writer called and in-
formed him of the above. stated apparently
had made the offer to certain otin,r officials of the Anoncy and the
matter would be taken up when clearance was through.
;-ly 1955
,