In the Unite States, the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act, Pub. 238, 75th Congress, 50 Stat. 551 (Aug. 2, 1937), was an insignificant bill on the path that led to the criminalization of cannabis based on big business interests that took advantage of the political climate of racism and anti-drug rhetoric to close the free market to hemp products. It was introduced to U.S. Congress by "Drug Czar" Harry Anslinger, then Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.