Were drugs illegal in the Victorian era?

During the Victorian era, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, there were no strict drug laws like we see today. Many substances that are now controlled, such as opium, cocaine, and cannabis, were legal and readily available. These substances were commonly used for both medical and recreational purposes.

For example, opium was widely accessible in various forms, including laudanum (a solution of opium in alcohol) which was used as a painkiller and sedative. It was also a common ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines. Cocaine was used as a local anesthetic and sometimes included in products like toothache drops or tonics. Similarly, cannabis was used for its medicinal properties.

It was only in the later years, particularly in the 20th century, that national and international regulations began to limit and control the use of these and other drugs, leading to the kind of drug laws we are more familiar with today.