World History of Psychoactive Substances and Other Things

Experts believe the tobacco plant, as we know it today, begins growing in the Americas. [ref. tobacco timeline]

Jars found in neolithic kitchen in the Middle East contained residue of wine. [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - ref. physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition & upenn website]

First written reference to alcohol on Sumerian clay tablets. [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

Noah planted a vineyard on Mt. Araat. [ref. Wikipedia]

Tobacco was "nearly everywhere" in the Americas. [American Heritage Book of Indians, p.41 & tobacco timeline]

Opium is widely used in China and the Far East. [Alfred A. Lindensmith, *The Addict and the Law*, p. 194]

Throughout the period of the Inca Empire (1200- 1553), the chewing of coca leaves is central to Inca religious and social systems, with use controlled by ritual sanctions. The leaves of the plant are used for their euphoric, energizing effects and the plant is viewed as a divine gift of the Sun God. [Drugs & Society]

Paracelsus (1490-1541) introduces laudanum, or tincture of opium, into the practice of medicine. [Schaffer Library of Drug Policy website]

The first American temperance society is formed in Litchfield, Connecticut. [Crafts et. al., op. cit., p. 9 & Schaffer Library of Drug Policy website]

The Whisky Rebellion, a protest by farmers in western Pennsylvania against a federal tax on liquor, breaks out and is put down by overwhelming force sent to the area by George Washington. Samuel Taylor Coleridge writes "Kubla Khan" while under the influence of opium. [Schaffer Library of Drug Policy website]

Napoleon's army, returning from Egypt, introduces cannibis (hashish, marijuana) into France. [Schaffer Library of Drug Policy website]

Morphine was first refined from Opium [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

Invention of the hypodermic needle [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

Amphetamines first synthesized [1ab2c3]

Washington, Iowa, Tennessee and North Dakota have outlawed the sale of cigarettes. [ref. tobacco timeline]
 

4.4 billion cigarettes are sold this year. The anti-cigarette movement has destroyed many smaller companies. Buck Duke is selling 9 out of 10 cigarettes in the US. [ref. tobacco timeline]

Sears, Roebuck and Co catalogue (page 441) sells "Sure Cure for the Tobacco Habit". Slogan "Tobacco to the Dogs". The product "will destroy the effects of nicotine". [ref. tobacco timeline]

Philip Morris sets up a corporation on Broad St. in New York to sell its British brands, including one named "Marlboro." Ownership is split 50-50 between the British parent and American partners. [ref. tobacco timeline]

A judge in New York sends a woman is sent to jail for 30 days for smoking in front of her children. [ref. tobacco timeline]

Pure Food and Drug Act established [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

Opium Exclusion Act [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

First strong link made between lung cancer and smoking. In a monograph, Dr. Isaac Adler is the first to strongly suggest that lung cancer is related to smoking. [ref. tobacco timeline]

Birth of the "modern" cigarette: RJ REYNOLDS introduces CAMEL, the nation's first pre-blended, packaged cigarette. The blend becomes known as "American blend," and helps Camel become the first nationally popular cigarette. Camels come in the country's first 20-cigarette pack. [ref. tobacco timeline]

Harrison Narcotic Act [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

Prohibition. The 18th amendment to the Constitution had been officially ratified. [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition & Schaffer Library of Drug Policy website]

First medical use of amphetamines as a stimulant and as a nasal decongestant.

Creation of Alcoholics Anonymous [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

Marijuana Tax Act [Ref. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders - physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs - 5th edition]

Amphetamines first used medically to calm hyperactive children.

Germany had the world's strongest anti-smoking movement, with the full support of Adolf Hitler, who disapproved of smoking. [ref. tobacco timeline]

Drs. Albert Hoffmann and W. A. Stoll, chemists at Sandoz Laboratories (Baser, Switzerland) discovered lysergic acid diethylamide while experimenting with fungus. [ref. Drug Action Network]

American, British, German and Japanese governments issue amphetamines to soldiers to counteract fatigue, elevate mood and increase endurance. Use of amphetamines by ahletes and businessmen reported as early as 1940s. Black market begins—“pep pills” used by students and truck drivers.

Dr. Hoffmann accidentally absorbs a synthesized compound in the Iysergic acid series and experiences “fantastic visions”. He later deliberately self administers LSD and again experiences visions.

E.M. Jellinek and Mrs. Marty Mann launched at Yale the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism (later renamed and better known as the National Council on Alcoholism [NCA]) [ref. Ron Roizen]

LSD widely studied for use in the treatment of mental disorders, epilepsy and alcoholism.

Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs is founded. [ref. Frontline]

NORML is founded. [ref. Frontline]

President Richard Nixon signed the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act into law, banning cigarette advertisements on television in the United States starting on January 2, 1971. [ref. Wikipedia]

Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" movement begins. This anti-drug campaign becomes a centerpiece of the Reagan administration's anti-drug campaign. The movement focuses on white, middle class children and is funded by corporate and private donations. [ref. Frontline]

The number of methamphetamine laboratory seizures reported to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1997 increased dramatically, to 1,431 from 879 in 1996. [ref. NARCONON]