A heads up, we explore the use of plant medicines and illegal drugs.

This series is for entertainment and informational purposes only.

Always consult with a medical professional before starting any form of treatment.

Listener discretion is advised. The year was 2000 and Dr. Carl Hart was on top of the world.

A young brilliant black neuroscientist, one of the best in his field,

researching the impacts of drugs on the brain.

Learning about the neurobiology, pharmacology,

publishing dozens and dozens of scientific papers participating in all kinds of scientific

committees, conferences, and just learning what I could about drugs.

Carl grew up in Carroll City, a working-class suburb of Miami, and was now in the top

echelons of drug research and policy. The National Institutes on Drug Abuse

even gave him millions of dollars for his research.

Carl had made it. So what I said I was gonna do was study drugs to try to figure out how they produce addiction.

Study the brain and figure out how I can best serve my community.

I felt like if I could solve or cure drug addiction, then I could solve some of the

problems that I thought were as a result of crack in my community. Miami in the 80s is where the making, selling and distribution of crack cocaine became a bona fide business.

Cartels imported cocaine from South America to the Florida coast

and Miami dealers perfected the technique of converting

powdered cocaine into crack.

Violence, crime, and chaos came with it,

and Carl watched his community fight

to hold on to its identity.

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