The first "War on Drugs" was during Prohibition. It was a failure. But it's getting a second chance.

This is a repost, but I thought it would be relevant here.<br><br>I'm not an American, and I don't condone drug use. However, I am very interested in drug policy. I've been reading about the history of drugs, and I found an interesting story.<br><br>When alcohol prohibition was being enforced by the government, drugs were still legal. Heroin, cocaine, weed, opium, and even LSD were all legal. During Prohibition, drug laws were made, and enforcers started arresting people. The public was not in support of it, and many politicians even argued that drug prohibition would not work and would be a failure. The first federal anti-drug law, the Hamilton Act, was passed in 1898, and in 1914, the Harrison Act became the primary law governing narcotics. However, the public still wasn't supportive of drug laws.<br><br>During the 1930s, the Marijuana Tax Act was passed, and the Reefer Madness propaganda campaign was launched. However, it didn't have a huge impact on the American people. It wasn't until 1935, when the federal government started raiding marijuana grow-stubs, that people started to get upset. Many Americans believed that marijuana was a medical plant, and the government shouldn't interfere with it. In 1936, 11 states passed resolutions opposing federal marijuana prohibition. The American Medical Association also came out against marijuana prohibition.<br><br>In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act over the objections of many states, and the Marihuana Tax Act went into effect on October 1, 1937. When alcohol Prohibition was repealed in 1933, many argued that drug prohibition should also be repealed. In 1938, Congress passed the Federal Crime Control Act, which increased penalties for drug crimes and provided funding for drug enforcement. The Marihuana Tax Act was ruled unconstitutional in 1969.<br><br>Fast forward to the 1970s. Nixon was elected in 1968. In 1971, Nixon appointed a commission, the Senate's National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, to study the issue. They concluded that marijuana was less harmful than tobacco and alcohol, and they recommended decriminalization. In 1972, Congress passed the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, which increased penalties for drug crimes. Nixon then launched the "War on Drugs," which was funded by Congress.<br><br>In 1973, the DEA was created. In 1980, Ronald Reagan was elected, and he increased funding for the War on Drugs. In 1986, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed, which increased penalties for crack cocaine. In 1994, the Crime Bill was passed, which increased penalties for all drug offenses. In 2010, the Obama administration reversed the "War on Drugs" and instructed prosecutors not to pursue low-level drug offenses. In 2013, two states legalized marijuana. In 2020, marijuana was legalized federally, but states still have the right to prohibit it.<br><br>In conclusion, the first "War on Drugs" was during Prohibition, but it was a failure. It didn't stop people from using drugs, and it didn't stop the black market. Instead, it led to widespread arrest and imprisonment. Many states opposed the "War on Drugs," and eventually, the Marihuana Tax Act was ruled unconstitutional. The "War on Drugs" was revived in the 1970s, but it was also met with opposition. In 2010, the Obama administration reversed the "War on Drugs," and in 2020, marijuana was legalized federally. It's getting a second chance.