Cocaine made its first appearance in the United States during the 1880's, when physicians became interested in the drug's therapeutic potential. Its popularity grew far beyond the boundaries of medical practice; by the late 1890's, many considered the popular consumption of cocaine a serious threat to public health and safety. About that time, a broad coalition of reform-minded groups began efforts to control the supply of cocaine and to establish a basic system of drug regulation. The article explores in depth the pharmaceutical industry and cocaine sales; coca products; the first generation of packaged remedies that used cocaine and sales of pure cocaine directly to the consumer; the Progressive critique of cocaine selling; irresponsible promotion; public health; dangerous retail sales and the restriction of retail sales; regulation and its impact; labeling requirements; and drug regulation as cocaine control. Primary sources, notes