OBJECTIVE： To study the development and status quo of controlled substances control in the United States， and to provide evidence for narcotics and psychotropic substances （NPS） control in China. METHODS： The development and status quo of controlled substances control by the United States were summarized and studies through retrieving and collecting literatures， reports and policies about NPS from domestic and foreign databases， news reports and international website. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS： The United States’ control for controlled substances dated back to Harrison Narcotics Tax Act in 1914， and the United States is the first nation to control narcotics addiction through the form of tax law after International Opium Convention is executed. Thereafter， the United States gradually extend the range by including cannabis， heroin and psychotropic substances into control range of Narcotics Drugs Import and Export Act， Heroin Act， Marijuana Tax Act， revising and developing comprehensive act Controlled Substances Act， and establishing comprehensive law enforcement agency Controlled Substances Enforcement Administration affiliated to Ministry of Justice by Nixon’s “War on Drugs” plan.