The linked page doesn't list any sources for that claim. It seems believable, but I couldn't find any evidence from a quick google search and the article itself

The linked page doesn't list any sources for that claim. It seems believable, but I couldn't find any evidence from a quick google search and the article itself isn't very persuasive. From the article: "You know as late as 1900, ... let's say you would have appendicitis, you would go into the hospital, and you would get morphine as a pain killer during the operation, you would be given morphine further after the operation, and you would come out of the hospital with no appendix but addicted to morphine." I find that interesting, because as late as 2010 I went to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and received morphine while the cause was being determined. Before I was diagnosed with appendicitis the efficacy of the morphine decreased to the point that I was switched to dilaudid. I was educated briefly on the risk of addiction, had the surgery, left the hospital two days layer, and haven't sought either since. I don't know if full legalization is the best option, but dismissing it with shaky historical claims is not a great argument.