Recreational Drug Use

Marijuana Tax Act

Apr 14, 1937

The marijuana tax act was introduced on April 14th, 1937 by Robert L. Doughton of North Carolina. It was a tax on the sale of Cannabis.

Leary v. United States

1969

U.S supreme court case dealing with the constitutionality of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Timothy Leary, a professor and activist, was arrested for the possession of marijuana in violation of the Marijuana Tax Act. Leary challenged that the act required self-incrimination, which violated the fifth amendment. The decision was made that the Marijuana Tax Act was unconstitutional.

House votes on a bill

1972

The house votes 366 to 0 to authorize a $1 billion, three-year federal attack on drug abuse.

The flow of drugs

1985

The pentagon spends $40 million on interdiction. By 1990, the General Accounting Office will report that the military's efforts had no discernible impact on the flow of drugs

The Solomon-Lautenberg Amendment

1990

The Solomon-Lautenberg amendment is passed saying that states should suspend the drivers license of anyone who commits a drug offense. As a result many states put into affect that any drug offense is punished with a mandatory six month drivers license suspension.

The Rohrabacher–Farr amendment

2014

Passed the U.S. House and was signed into law, requiring annual renewal, prohibiting the Justice Department from interfering with the implementation of state medical cannabis laws.