The Harrison Narcotics Act: A Turning Point in Drug Regulation
On December 17, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Harrison Narcotics Act into law, with its effects taking place on March 1, 1915. This federal drug tax aimed to generate revenue and crack down on the free trade of drugs. The act was approved through three bills, H.R. 1966, H.R. 1967, and H.R. 6282, and focused on regulating the trade of cocaine, morphine, heroin, and opium by imposing taxes and restrictions rather than outright banning them.
Before the Harrison Narcotics Act, drugs like heroin and cocaine were readily available at places like Sears and gas stations with little oversight. However, the act was primarily enforced on businesses owned by Chinese immigrants and Black Americans.
The Uniform State Narcotic Law: Bringing State Laws in Line
In 1925, the Uniform State Narcotic Law was first drafted, but it wasn’t until 1932 that it was adopted and signed by President Herbert Hoover. This law aimed to align state drug laws with federal law, closing any loopholes in the Harrison Narcotics Act and forcing states to adhere to federal regulations. Prior to this, state-level drug laws often conflicted with one another.
The relentless lobbying of Harry J. Anslinger, the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics, played a major role in the passing of this law. Anslinger went as far as releasing statements claiming that cannabis caused insanity and sexual assault, which helped pave the way for the outlawing of cannabis at the federal level.
The Marihuana Tax Act: A Step Towards Prohibition
On August 2, 1937, H.R. 6385 was approved and became known as The Marihuana Tax Act. This act aimed to eliminate the trade of cannabis by imposing an exorbitant tax on its sale. Users were required to pay $100 per ounce, which would be equivalent to $2,191.04 in 2024. The only way to avoid this tax was to obtain a strict license and purchase stamps to prove it, but even then, the taxes were only reduced.
The enforcement of this law fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, which later became the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The first two people arrested under this act were Samuel R. Caldwell and Moses Baca, just days after it took effect.
The Boggs Act: Mandatory Sentences for Drug Offenses
In 1951, the Boggs Act was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. This act established mandatory sentences for drug offenses, particularly for cannabis convictions. A first-time offense for cannabis possession carried a minimum sentence of two to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to $24,539.68 in 2024, an impossible amount for most people to pay.
On January 4, 1952, law enforcement agents conducted a series of federal raids, arresting approximately 500 people in one day based on the new law.
The Creation of the DEA: Nixon’s Push for a Stronger Drug Enforcement Agency
On June 8, 1973, the U.S. House approved Reorganization Plan No. 2, which was pushed by President Richard Nixon. This plan created the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on July 1, 1973, with the goal of strengthening drug enforcement efforts. The DEA remains a key player in the regulation and enforcement of drug laws in the United States.
