Let us say that during or perhaps before WWI an American discovers LSD (LAD with English spelling). What effect would its proliferation have on society during the 20s and beyond?
A quick beginning -
George Merck, fresh out of Harvard synthesizes the first batch of LAD in 1916. A couple days later, he accidentally gets some on his hand and feels a mild euphoria and decides to experiment further. He goes on the first 'acid trek' in history and once he realizes he hasn't been poisoned, begins to write down his experience and shares it with colleagues and his Harvard buddies. Some psychiatrists begin experimenting with it personally and on some college-aged volunteers.
Prohibition comes around and this academic and social elite begin experimenting with it as a substitute for alcohol. In Chicago, King Oliver tries it with Louis Armstrong, marking the beginning of 'acid jazz'. It starts to develop as a legal alternative to alcohol with 'psyche altering' effects.
Is this possible? Effects? Thoughts?