The First Drug Laws
Continuing with our series looking at drug laws in the United States, today we’re going back to the beginning.
In the Beginning
Before 1890, there were no federal laws governing the use and trade of opiates. These substances were controlled by individual cities or states. One of the very first laws regarding opiates was created in San Francisco in 1875, where it became illegal to smoke opium outside of opium dens. This first law was nothing compared to laws that have come into effect recently, as it did not ban people from selling or importing opium. Over the next 25 years, however, laws were enacted across the United States that controlled the use of opium, ranging from outlawing opium dens to the complete banning of the usage and ownership of opiates without a doctor’s prescription. Then, in 1890, a Congressional Act took place that put taxes on the sale of morphine and opium. After that first Federal act, the government continued to pile on laws and regulations, aimed at controlling and regulating the use of opiates.
A Veritable Smorgasbord of Drug Control
Stretching from 1890 through 2005 and beyond, there were a variety of laws passed. Some of the most notable early laws were ones such as the 1909 Smoking Opium Exclusion Act, the very first Federal law that banned the non medicinal use of an opiate substance. This act banned people from importing, possessing and using smoking opium, but did not regulate opium that was considered to be for medications.
From 1914-1938, several more laws were enacted with the same spirit in mind, to start controlling the manufacturing, sale, possession and use of opiates and other substances that were considered illicit. During the mid 1900’s and the early part of the new millennium, many more laws were enacted, but those that were created first were the ones that paved the way for the greatest regulations as well as the harshest punishments for violating those regulations.
Are the drug laws in your area more or less strict than the rest of the country? Is there a ‘crackdown’ where you are, where those found in possession of opiates quickly end up in jail? Or are the laws more lenient?
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