Methamphetamine
Timeline
| Jan 18, 1887 | Amphetamine was first synthesized at Universität Berlin by Romanian chemist Lazar Edeleanu (1861-1941) and originally named phenylisopropylamine. It was then largely forgotten for the next 40 years. 1 | |
| 1919 | Methamphetamine is first synthesized by Japanese scientist A. Ogata. | |
| 1930 | Amphetamine was discovered to increase blood pressure. 2 | |
| 1932 | Amphetamine is first marketed as 'benzedrine' by Smith, Kline & French, in an over-the-counter inhaler to treat congestion. 2 | |
| 1935 | Amphetamine's stimulant effect is first recognized and physicians successfully use it to treat narcolepsy. 2 | |
| 1937 | Amphetamine is first approved by the American Medical Association for sale in tablet form. It is sold by prescription for use in the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). | |
| World War II | Both Amphetamine and Methamphetamine are widely distributed to soldiers to help improve performance. This led to addiction problems in Japan after the war. | |
| 1940 | Methamphetamine is marketed under the trade name "Methedrine" by Burroughs Wellcome. | |
| 1942 | Dextro-amphetamine and methamphetamine become commonly available. | |
| 1950 - 1953 | U.S. dispenses amphetamine to troops in Korea. | |
| 1954 | Height of the Japanese amphetamine epidemic. There are estimated to be over 2 million amphetamine users in a population of 88.5 million. 2 | |
| 1959 | First report of IV injection of contents from Benzedrine inhalers. | |
| 1963 | Illicit speed production begins when the Attorney General of California requests that injectable ampules be removed from the market. | |
| 1960's | Methamphetamine use rises in the United States. | |
| Jul 15, 1965 | U.S.: Drug Abuse Control Amendment (DACA) prohibits the unregistered possession, manufacture, or sale of barbiturates, amphetamines and any drug designated by regulation as having "a potential for abuse because of its depressant or stimulant effect on the central nervous system or its hallucinogenic effect"...unless they were for the personal use of the possessor or a member of their household, or were for administration to an animal. Went into effect approximately Feb 15, 1966. 3 [More Info] | |
| 1970 | Amphetamine becomes schedule II in the U.S. with the passage of the 'U.S. Drug Abuse Regulation and Control Act of 1970'. This makes it illegal to possess without a prescription. [More Info] | |
| Oct 27, 1970 | The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act is passed. Part II of this is the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) which defines a scheduling system for drugs. It places most of the known hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, psilocin, mescaline, peyote, cannabis, & MDA) in Schedule I. It places coca, cocaine and injectable methamphetamine in Schedule II. Other amphetamines and stimulants, including non-injectable methamphetamine are placed in Schedule III. | |
| Jul 7, 1971 | Amphetamine and Methamphetamine (non-injectable) are moved from Schedule III to Schedule II. | |
| Late 1980's | Smoked Methamphetamine becomes more popular. | |
| 1996 | U.S. Congress passes the Methamphetamine Control Act establishing new controls over key ingredients and strengthening criminal penalties for possession, distribution and manufacturing. | |
| 1997 | Agricultural researchers at Texas A and M University documented that methamphetamine (among other phenethylamines and amphetamines) was naturally produced by both Acacia berlandieri and Acacia rigidula Benth. known as "blackbrush". 4 |
References
- Lukas SE. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs: Amphetamines. Chelsea House, 1985.