[Falkon1313]

Up until the 2000s, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were sold over the counter at pretty much every truck stop, gas station, and convenience store. Usually at a big display rack at the checkout counter, where nowadays they might have things like '5 hour energy drink' stuff. Dirt cheap too.

And yes, people did use it recreationally. But it wasn't really a problem. If they took enough that their capillaries burst, they were the only ones getting hurt. And they could easily buy more for a few dollars at any store, so there was no crime associated with it.

Now it's illegal mainly because 'war on drugs' is fun for some people or something. Crime rates were dropping so they needed to invent new crimes.