10 illegal drugs that used to be legal

Also known as mescaline, this species of cactus is native to U.S. soil and is used by Native Americans for spiritual practices. Although it was illegal in some states, it was legal in others and much enjoyed during the 60s. Many took peyote for its hallucinogenic abilities and went on what they refer to as spiritual journeys. Fully banned in 1970, peyote remains illegal except for in places of Native American worship, which are exempt from the ban. This fungi native to Asia and the Americas, when ingested, can provide psychedelic trips similar to that of LSD. Its height of popularity came in the 60s when people would take ‘shrooms’ to embark on quests of spiritual and psychological enlightenment. Its existence was heavily debated until Life Magazine printed an article on them. They became outlawed in 1968. Also known as ‘Acid,’ this psychedelic drug was created by accident in Switzerland and the formula was taken by the U.S. government. LSD was so new and the effects so unknown that the government attempted to find a use for it as a truth serum and for brainwashing.The government was so clueless about the drug they even handed out the formula so people were able to make their own LSD. After people began making the drug incorrectly and there was an increase in its abuse it was outlawed in California and eventually nationwide. Studies during the 60s and 70s showed that LSD could be used to treat alcoholism. View the list »
First introduced to America by Chinese laborers in the 19th century, Opium spread like wildfire. Opium dens began to spring up everywhere, and doctors were even prescribing it for pain relief. When the negative and addictive effects became apparent the drug was restricted then eventually banned. Opium is now present in the drugs morphine and codeine. 

Celebrity newsletter

Drugs have been a huge part of the lineage of America. People have many different reasons for their drug use. Some use prescribed medications, some use for recreational purposes, others for their mental or physical affects. No matter the reason drugs are used, the government attempts to regulate its presence in our country and regardless of a person’s reason for using them they must comply with the laws of the state and country. Today America is a huge consumer of the legal prescription drug industry, so naturally this leads to an abundance of prescription drugs being illegally used and sold.

Related topics

Advertisement

This certainly is not a new phenomena, since most of our currently illegal drugs were at one time legal. When patients begin to rely heavily on these prescribed drugs, or the side effects become detrimental, or the drug is not fulfilling the purpose it's intended for, doctors have to step up and reassess the use of that drug and its place in the medical field. That’s when many of the drugs that were once used for healing become illegal and leak into our communities.

Here are 10 illegal drugs that were once legal.

View the list
  • First introduced to America by Chinese laborers in the 19th century, Opium spread like wildfire. Opium dens began to spring up everywhere, and doctors were even prescribing it for pain relief. When the negative and addictive effects became apparent the drug was restricted then eventually banned. Opium is now present in the drugs morphine and codeine. 
  • Also known as ‘Acid,’ this psychedelic drug was created by accident in Switzerland and the formula was taken by the U.S. government. LSD was so new and the effects so unknown that the government attempted to find a use for it as a truth serum and for brainwashing.The government was so clueless about the drug they even handed out the formula so people were able to make their own LSD. After people began making the drug incorrectly and there was an increase in its abuse it was outlawed in California and eventually nationwide. Studies during the 60s and 70s showed that LSD could be used to treat alcoholism. 
  • This fungi native to Asia and the Americas, when ingested, can provide psychedelic trips similar to that of LSD. Its height of popularity came in the 60s when people would take ‘shrooms’ to embark on quests of spiritual and psychological enlightenment. Its existence was heavily debated until Life Magazine printed an article on them. They became outlawed in 1968. 
  • Also known as mescaline, this species of cactus is native to U.S. soil and is used by Native Americans for spiritual practices. Although it was illegal in some states, it was legal in others and much enjoyed during the 60s. Many took peyote for its hallucinogenic abilities and went on what they refer to as spiritual journeys. Fully banned in 1970, peyote remains illegal except for in places of Native American worship, which are exempt from the ban. 
  • Roofies are one of the most dangerous drugs that are on the streets today. Known as the ‘Date Rape’ drug, GHB is odorless and tasteless, it can be undetected when slipped into someone’s drink. GHB is actually a naturally-occurring neurochemical that produces a depressant, pain-relieving effect. The synthesized version was widely use as an anesthetic, particularly during childbirth. It was popular among bodybuilders as a sleep aid and soon became a recreational drug. With the rise in abuse and deaths associated with the drug, GHB became restricted by the FDA. It is now being heavily-controlled for the treatment of narcolepsy. 
  • One of the most addictive drugs on our streets today was once thought to be the cure for morphine addiction. Heroin was created to be a less addictive substitute to morphine and as a cough suppressant. Looks like they messed that one up big time. It was later found to be much more addictive and harsher on the body when doses were not kept.Created in 1874, heroin was unrestricted until 1914 and finally outlawed in 1924. That is quite a few decades to have something so dangerous accessible to anyone. This lack of attention led to many people becoming addicts, people who were just out for pain relief. 
  • Created accidentally by an American chemist, MDMA was used to help psychiatric patients open up to their therapists. After the drug was found to have these mood heightening effects it became of interest to young clubbers. As abuse increased, laws were set to restrict its access and use.MDMA is the purest form of the drug and today many people use ecstasy - often mixed with other drugs - in pill form. MDMA was only banned as recently as 1985. 
  • This extract from the Coca plant, which originates in South America, has been a huge part of American culture. Cocaine was legal for decades and used as a medical drug in Europe and America but became restricted in 1914. The soda giant, Coca-Cola used cocaine as an ingredient and Sigmund Freud is known to have enjoyed it as a therapeutic medicine. South Americans have also used it as a painkiller and the US army endorsed it for medical use in 1886. It was even used to cure morphine addiction. 
  • This drug was quite popular after its creation by a Japanese chemist in 1893. When it was FDA approved in the U.S. it became something of a wonder drug. Doctors prescribed it to treat mild depression, alcoholism and narcolepsy. It was even given to soldiers during World War II to fight fatigue, enhance endurance and mood. As legal use increased so did its black market availability. The drug's highly addictive nature began to gain public attention as people started using it recreationally. There was a decline in use during the 1970s but with the introduction of ‘crystal meth’ in the 90s the drug became a top seller again. 
  • This plant is universally loved and hated. One of our most controversial drugs to date, the cannabis plant stands legal in some states and illegal in others. It was not so at one time, however. Marijuana only became restricted  in the 1930s. Prior to then, farmers were even encouraged to grow the plant as it was used for textiles and paper. Because of this it was actually a major source of revenue for the U.S.(And we are in a huge debt... just saying.) 
View the list
Suggested by the author:

, Pop Culture Examiner

Damian Desiree is Brooklyn transplant living in Los Angeles to pursue acting. Damian was bitten by the acting bug as a sophomore at Baruch College in New York City where he obtained his BA in Communications; by taking an acting class to open him up as an orator he instantly fell in love with the...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...