This course explores the political implications of the United States’ War on Drugs. We will review the history of narcotics prohibition, what motivated various policy developments, and how policy has shifted over time. We will delve into mass incarceration, police militarization, and relevant policies (e.g. mandatory minimums and civil asset forfeiture). We examine the ongoing opioid crisis, the legalization of marijuana, and the potential for ending the “War on Drugs.”