Regarding the Prohibition of Narcotics in Favor of Planting Miscellaneous Grain Crops[1]

(November 25, 1932)

At present, in order to sustain the victorious offensive of the revolutionary war and engage in protracted combat, so as to thoroughly smash the enemy’s large-scale attacks and win even greater victories, we must make ample preparations. The matter of grain supplies is particularly important, as it not only concerns the provisions of the Red Army but also directly affects the daily lives of the worker and peasant masses. Therefore, the Provisional Central Government, in order to enrich the sources of grain and ensure that the broad worker and peasant masses and the Red Army in the Soviet areas do not suffer any grain shortages, hereby makes the following decisions:

1. Plant more miscellaneous grain crops and vegetables. The season for planting miscellaneous grains is now at hand. The worker and peasant masses everywhere should do their utmost to plant miscellaneous grain crops and vegetables to supplement any shortfall in rice and other staples.

2. Prohibit the planting of opium. Opium is a most harmful narcotic, a tool used by the despotic gentry and landlords to benumb the workers and peasants. It must be absolutely prohibited within our Soviet areas. At the same time, planting opium not only hinders the cultivation of miscellaneous grains but also impedes next year’s spring plowing, thereby reducing the sources of grain and harming the revolutionary war. Therefore, throughout our Soviet areas, the planting of opium is absolutely forbidden this year; land must be replanted with miscellaneous grain crops instead.

The above decisions are made entirely in the interests of the revolutionary war and for the benefit of the worker and peasant masses. All persons, without exception, must strictly comply. Recently, it has been heard that some rich peasants are engaging in sabotage, deliberately inciting the masses to plant opium in order to reduce grain production in the Soviet areas and inflict the harm of narcotics upon the workers and peasants. This is in fact a deliberate attempt to undermine the revolution and is absolutely impermissible in the Soviet areas. Local governments, all revolutionary organizations, and all worker and peasant masses must conduct strict investigations into such rich peasants who incite the masses to plant opium and deliberately sabotage the revolution, and impose severe punishments upon them. This is hereby earnestly and explicitly proclaimed. It is imperative that all levels of government, all mass organizations, and all worker and peasant masses be fully informed and carry out these instructions conscientiously.

Chairman: Mao Zedong
Vice Chairmen: Xiang Ying, Zhang Guotao
November 25, 1932

[1] This is Proclamation No. 13 of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, issued by Mao Zedong in the name of the Provisional Central Government and co-signed by Vice Chairmen Xiang Ying and Zhang Guotao.