1901
ALC/OPIUM-- The Senate adopts a resolution to forbid the sale of opium and alcohol "to aboriginal tribes and uncivilized races." These provisions are later extended to include "uncivilized elements in America itself and its territories, such as Indians, Alaskans, and the inhabitants of Hawaii, railroad workers, and immigrants at ports of entry."
1903
BARBITURATES-- Barbital is first barbiturate to be used clinically. Others followed over next three decades.
1904
Iced Tea and tea bags introduced.
1906
===> Food and Drug Act enacted-- strictly a "labeling law"-- only affected misbranded foods and drugs. Main concern were "patent medicines."
===> Fear of Chinese opium dens coupled with stories of cocaine-fueled violence by Blacks down South-- topped by an inflammatory and unsubstantiated account to Congress of how cocaine was leading to the raping of white women by black men-- lead to calls for further restrictions.
1907
ALC-- From 1907 to 1919, 39 states enacted prohibitions and only 2 repealed. 64% of Americans lived in "dry" territory.
1912
===> Hague Convention-- calling for international regulation of opium. U.S., who convened convention, called on the carpet for not having any drug restrictions.
1914
===> Harrison Tax Act-- Direct response to Hague Convention-- only a tax. Physicians able to "minister to patients" and "...drugs obtained by addicts were to be secured through registered physicians." Coca and cocaine inappropriately identified in this Act as narcotics.
1919
TOBAC-- First ad showing a woman smoking.
1920
MARIJ-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes a pamphlet urging Americans to grow cannabis as a profitable undertaking.
1920's
===> Since Harrison Act was a tax, enforcement taken over by treasury department during prohibition. Over zealous interpretation of law-- not just collect taxes and insure registration, but took on prosecutorial position. Even prosecuting doctors prescribing to addicts. Refused to register other sellers (even though allowed by law), and closed public health clinics that administered to addicts (since not considered legitimate medical purpose). Two times as many drug (opiates and cocaine) arrests as for alcohol during this time.
OPIUM-- during time of WW-I, 200,000 to 1,000,000 addicts in U.S.-- during prohibition, some quit, others went "underground" and to crime to support addiction.
AMPHETAMINES-- Search for longer acting, safer substitute for ephedrine, used in China for centuries, for bronchial spasms, led to development of amphetamines by Leak and Alles. Available over-the- counter (without prescription).
ALC-- Jan. 16, 1920-- 18th Amendment (Volstead Act; prohibition) ratified; took effect 1/16/21. Helped launch suffragette movement since women were instrumental in the passage of this act.
MARIJ-- Some references to use by Mexican-Americans, but use and concern about it low. Use popular in some areas (cities)-- tea dens, since M.J. legal. In 1926, however, a series of reports from New Orleans linking M.J. with crime piqued public concern.
1933
ALC-- Dec. 5, 1933-- 21st Amendment overturning 18th. Realized that, while drinking and alcoholism had gone down, organized crime had become stronger; willful violation of law was rampant; and, with Depression, tax money was wanted. Sales did not reach pre-prohibition levels until after WW-II.
1935
MARIJ-- 36 states with laws regulating use, sale, or possession of M.J. By 1936, all 48 states had laws. Increasingly, violent crimes blamed on M.J. use. By 1937, touted as foremost menace to life, health and morals in America.
1937
MARIJ-- Marijuana Tax Act-- While not making it illegal, by taxing grower, distributor, seller and buyer, it made it virtually impossible to get. (The Act specified only one species of cannabis, and although all contain the same active ingredients, they are impossible to tell apart after processing, making enforcement impossible as well). The STATE laws then made it illegal. HOWEVER, in 1969, the Supreme Court ruled the Tax Act unconstitutional because for it to be followed, the user or seller would have to declare self, thus incriminating self, in violation of 5th amendment. Use dropped markedly until late 1950's/early 1960's.
1938
===> 1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act-- At this time, sulfa drugs commonly used as antibiotics-- in search of a liquid form, a chemist found that one sulfa (sulfanilamide) dissolved in diethylene glycol. Unfortunately, diethylene glycol causes kidney poisoning and this drug killed 107 people before being pulled off the shelves in 1937. Reason for it being pulled off? A true elixir, as it was advertised to be, contained alcohol. In other words, it did not have to be safe. The chemist committed suicide; the company paid the largest fine in the history of the existing 1906 law; and the 1938 Act was enacted saying that drugs or cosmetics had to be tested for toxicity before marketing. Also, adequate directions for use needed to be on package and made first mention of "use by instruction from physician only"-- in other words, prescription vs. non-prescription medications. It wasn't until 1962, on the heels of the thalidomide situation, that amendments were added stating that a drug had to be effective for what it was intended and that approval had to be given before trials on humans could be conducted. Investigation of existing drugs' effectiveness began in 1964-- by 1974, 6133 drugs had been removed for ineffectiveness.
1939
AMPHET'S-- Found by now to lower appetite and actively used as stimulant. Used by both sides in WW-II to keep soldiers alert. It was observed that soldiers on amphetamines had better morale, tended to lead the march, and tolerated blisters more cheerfully. A group of University of Minnesota students also found it to be useful for cramming for exams. No concern for non-medical use of amphet's developed until after WW-II.
1943
LSD-- April 16, 1943, Hoffman ingests LSD. Does so a second time and describes effects. LSD became important for the identification of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Not regulated, but initial use limited until early 1960's. Declared illegal in 1970.
1946
AMPHET'S-- first articles appear on amphetamine psychoses. Japan had such a large stockpile of the drug after WW-II that it was sold without prescription and use was initially encouraged. However, a number of health problems developed and it was estimated that 2% (1.5 million people) of the population were abusing amphetamines. Through extreme penal, education, and treatment programs, it was mostly eradicated about twenty years after the problem started.
1953
LSD-- Nov. 28, 1953-- Dr. Frank Olson commits suicide two weeks after being slipped a dose of LSD by CIA agents. This incident is revealed in 1975 and it is subsequently found that 585 soldiers and 900 civilians had been experimented on between 1956 & 57-- many not volunteers or able to quit study or know purpose.
1954
TOBAC-- Filter-tipped cigarettes introduced.
1965
===> Drug Abuse Control Amendments-- referred to amphetamines, barbiturates and LSD as dangerous drugs and allowed for FDA to recommend to Department of Health Education and Welfare to control them and other drugs that may later be deemed a problem.
1966
ALC-- The last "dry" state (Mississippi) went "wet" in 1966.