1970
Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (Controlled Substance Act of 1970)-- Specifically stated that drugs under act were now under Federal jurisdiction and dealt with both narcotics and other "dangerous" drugs. Also dealt with prevention and treatment. Treated marijuana differently-- making a separate commission to study this and report in 1972.
Contrary to previous acts, this one was to control drugs directly, not through taxes-- moving enforcement out of Treasury to Justice. Attorney General in charge of enforcement; but HEW in charge of defining what needs to be controlled, considering:
1) pharmacologic actions
2) other scientific knowledge about it and related drugs.
3) risk to public health
4) dependence (psychic or physiologic) potential
5) whether the drug was a precursor for other drugs listed.
Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine were excluded.
1972
Marijuana recommended to be downgraded to misdemeanor. Oregon first state to do so in 1973-- resulting in smallincrease in use. Nine other states have done same (including. Minn.) In 1970's, Carter administration worked toward Federal decriminalization.
1986
Drug Analogue and Anti-Drug Abuse Acts-- The Drug Analogue act was enacted to deal with "designer" drugs, allowing immediate classification of a substance as a controlled substance. Previous to this, people were avoiding prosecution with chemically altered versions of controlled substances with similar drug effects because they didn't appear on the Schedules. The Anti-drug abuse act was focused on penalties for trafficking.
1988
Omnibus Drug Act (aka, "Chemical diversion and trafficking act")-- added registration requirements on airplanes and boats, dealt with arms sales, money laundering, and added death penalty for murder connected with drug-related felony. Toughened penalties for users.
1990s
TOBACCO-- Legislation and litigation has taken on a new twist, with cigarette manufacturers being challenged for health costs associated with use of their product. This has led to settlements with numerous states, notably the Minnesota settlement in 1998. Further, the Food and Drug Administration proposed in 1996 to place tobacco under its control (excluded in the Controlled Subst. Act and also the Pure Food and Drug Act that established the FDA.) The FDA maintains that cigarettes are a "nicotine delivery device" and, therefore, similar to any other drug product. Congress has disagreed and the cigarette manufacturers have challenged this in the courts. The Clinton administration has sided with the FDA. The Supreme Court heard arguments on this matter in Fall, 1999. [Update: The Supreme Court decided against the FDA being able to regulate tobacco, citing the Controlled Substances Act as deliberately excluding tobacco from the FDA's control. Congress would need to act to change the law.]
1996
AMPHETAMINES-- The Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act restricts access to chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and increases penalties for possession of these plus the manufacture and/or sale of the drug.