Racial Undertones of Drug Prohibition

This chapter examines the historical development of drug laws in America, highlighting the racial biases that shaped legislation against opium, cocaine, and marijuana. It reveals how societal fears surrounding these substances were intertwined with prejudices against specific racial groups, particularly Chinese immigrants, Black individuals, and Mexicans. Through an analysis of key laws and Supreme Court rulings, the chapter illustrates the complexities of federalism in regulating drugs and guns, as well as the evolving political narratives surrounding these issues.