This chapter explores the historical context of drug prohibition in America, highlighting the influence of key figures like Harry J. Anslinger and William Randolph Hearst. It examines the interplay of politics, racism, and cultural fears that shaped societal perceptions of substances like marijuana, particularly in relation to jazz musicians. The discussion also critiques the ongoing stigma around marijuana use and its misunderstood relationship with hemp, alongside the implications of drug use on human cognitive evolution.