Known as the "Father of the Drug War", Harry Anslinger was the first Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics (somewhat equivalent to the later "drug czar") of the United States. Under president Hoover, Anslinger was appointed to the newly created position on August 12, 1930 at the age of 38. He continued in the position until 1962.

Anslinger was extremely anti-marijuana and is well known for many of his exaggerated claims about the plant. There are theories that his work was, in part, motivated by friends in various industries (Hearst, DuPont, etc.) who had much to lose if marijuana / hemp was allowed to spread.