Samuel R. Caldwell

Released
Full name:Samuel Caldwell
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1930s
State:Colorado
Time Imprisoned:
2 Years 3 Months 0 Days
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Biography

Samuel R. Caldwell was the first person in the United States arrested and convicted for selling marijuana under the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Arrested in Denver within a day of the act taking effect, he was sentenced to four years at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, and released from custody in 1940 after serving three years. His case is often cited as the opening prosecution of federal marijuana prohibition.

Case

United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth
Charges: Selling marijuana (Marihuana Tax Act of 1937)
Incarcerated: October 1937
Released: 1940
Sentence: Four years at USP Leavenworth; released in 1940 after serving three years.
Convicted: Yes
Institution State: Kansas

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