L SD was once a legal drug studied for use in psychiatric patients, but its increasing abuse by a growing population of young people resulted in widespread concern and legislation outlawing LSD. As a result, making, selling, and using LSD have been illegal in the United States and most other industrialized countries for nearly four decades.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration have taken a strong stance on LSD manufacturing and use, including its use in therapy and for scientific research. Over the years, the battle against illegal LSD use has faced many obstacles. At the same time, the overall supply of LSD has remained relatively constant for nearly twentyfive years.

Another major problem began to emerge in the early 1960s. In 1963 Sandoz, the drug company that produced pharmaceutical LSD, let its patent rights...