The US has undergone rapid social and legal changes throughout its short history. Laws that are in place now were once considered to be unfathomable a century ago or even less. Here are some of the craziest laws that have changed in the United States over history.
Drinking Alcohol
The prohibition was put in place to prevent people from consuming alcohol. This was done to protect people from drunken intoxication, which was deemed to be dangerous, reckless, and a scourge of society. However, this 1920 law led to an increase in gang violence, organized crime, and illegal trafficking.
Lobotomy
Not only was the lobotomy legal at one point, but the person who came up with the idea won a Nobel Prize in 1949. The lobotomy consists of lodging a pin into someone’s brain to make them less volatile. One popular example of someone who was lobotomized is Rosemary Kennedy, the eldest Kennedy Daughter. This was supposedly done to reduce symptoms of depression, aggression, and also her sexual activity. This left her permanently disabled.
Segregation
It wasn’t long ago that people identified as black were separated from people who were white. Whether black people were unable to ride at the front of the bus, use public park benches, or go to the same schools, it is now unfathomable that these laws existed. Little Rock High School was the first time African American students integrated with white Americans in school in 1957.
Marrying First Cousins
Now seen as a vile act, marrying your first cousin was once legal in America. However, due to concerns of inbreeding and other health issues, marrying relatives was outlawed in many states. However, as of 2024, only 24 U.S. states prohibit marriages between first cousins.
Prostitution
Aside from certain parts of Nevada, prostitution is outlawed in most American states. In the 18th century, prostitution became a concern due to the potential of spreading diseases, especially among army troops. Described as the earliest profession, prostitution was outlawed in the early 20th century in most American states.
Consuming Psychedelic Mushrooms
Consuming psychedelic mushrooms in small quantities is thought to have a range of mental health benefits. However, using psychedelic mushrooms in recreational form was made illegal in 1971 due to concerns.
Women Being Unable to Vote
Until 1920, women were unable to vote in the US. Thanks to rebellious activists of the Suffragettes Movement, they campaigned tirelessly to finally ratify a law that allowed women to have a say in their democracy.
Interracial Marriage
Amid segregation and the civil rights movement, many states were concerned about ‘miscegenation,’ or the breeding between people of different ethnicities. While states moved at different paces to legalize interracial marriage, interracial marriage was made legal in 1967. But before this, people would be imprisoned for interracial relationships, most famously Mildred and Richard Loving.
National Drinking Age
Believe it or not, the national drinking age used to be 18 in the United States. However, after 1984, the legal drinking age was increased to 21 because of concerns about how alcohol affects our youth.
Adultery
Adultery, or having sexual relations outside of marriage, is still illegal in many states. In states such as Oklahoma, Michigan, and Wisconsin, it is considered to be a felony to engage in sexual acts with anyone other than your legal spouse.
Opium Consumption
Recreational opium consumption was made illegal in the US in 1905. However, opium was frequently used among soldiers in the 19th century to make them feel better after being wounded. People became dependent on opium, leading to laws and preventative measures to control the addiction epidemic.
Methamphetamine
Frequently used during the Second World War to keep troops awake during tedious night duties and also exhausting battles, methamphetamine was frequently used among US troops. Not only that, it became used to control weight gain and also to treat depression. However, it became illegal in the 1970s when the substance was being used recreationally and irresponsibly.
Slavery
Slavery was legal until 1865, and the 13th Amendment characterizes this. But, southern states found loopholes where they could incriminate African Americans. Once these African Americans were incriminated, they could be exploited by being put towards working in harsh conditions without pay. This essentially made slavery legal among criminals, whether they were wrongly convicted or not.
Domestic Violence
Believe it or not, domestic violence used to be legal among married couples in the US. Acts of domestic violence became illegal in many states in 1920. But it wasn’t treated as a serious offense until decades later.
Same-Sex Marriage
It’s hard to believe that same-sex marriage was illegal as recently as 2015 in the United States. Despite the level of progression and self-expression that has manifested in American communities, there were strong protestors against same-sex marriage, often stemming from religious views.
Cocaine
Not only was cocaine legal and popular in the medical industry in early 20th century America, but it was also found in common house items. Even Coca-Cola was made with cocaine and caffeine in its early days. Other products, such as eye drops, toothache drops, and even cigarettes, contained traces of cocaine.
MDMA
MDMA was used to treat issues such as weight loss, and it was even used to reconcile marriages in therapy. Because of its associations with connectedness, honesty, and empathy, MDMA was used in marriage counseling sessions to make partners feel closer.
Texting While Driving
Texting while driving is viewed with great disapproval in today’s society. To endanger someone else because of your inability to focus on the road and your preoccupation with your smartphone was a sign of recklessness. But it wasn’t always illegal. Even today, it is still legal to text and drive in certain states in America.
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