Pros And Cons Of The Harrison Act Of 1914

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Four major drug control laws enacted by federal government since 1900 are listed as follows: 1906 Pure food and Drug Act – Consequently,” the new law did not possibly harmful drugs in patented medicines from being sold” (Levinthal,2012). Nevertheless, it only required that manufacturers classify specific drugs that might be delimited in these untested medicines. The Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914: Nevertheless, “at first everyone was required to- importing, manufacturing, selling or dispensing cocaine or opiate drugs to register with the treasury department” (Levinthal,2012). However, they must pay a special tax and keep records. Theoretically, the Harrison Act did not make opiates and cocaine illegal. However, physicians could prescribe these …show more content…

Notwithstanding, physicians stop dispensing prescription drugs not protected under the Harrison Act, in order to circumvent prosecution. Consequently, in a de facto way opiates and cocaine were made illegal. Conversely, practically overnight a new class of criminal was created. The Boggs Act of 1951: Combined increase penalties of previously enacted marijuana and narcotics laws. Nevertheless, the minimum sentence was two years for 1st time offenders, and up to ten years for repeat offenders. Conversely, “the sale of heroin to individuals under the age of 18 was now a capital offense, punishable by life imprisonment” (Levinthal,2012). The Controlled Substance Act of 1970: Consequently, this act can consolidate a large number of drug laws. Nevertheless, establish a classification of drugs, solidified the power of the Federal Government to regulate drug taking behavior. Therefore, “shifted the administration of drug enforcement from the Treasury Department” (Levinthal,2012). “The driving force behind the Boggs Act was a mistaken belief that drug addiction was a contagious and perhaps incurable disease and that addicts should be quarantined and forced to undergo treatment, however, just five years after the Boggs Act, Congress passed the Narcotics Control Act of