Rockefeller Drug Laws In 1973 Governor Nelson Rockefeller enacted a set of laws that were so harsh that it was thought that the rabid drug problem would stop, mostly because of fear of punishment. At the time there seemed like there was nothing else left to do. Unfortunately the laws have had little positive effect. The Rockefeller Laws should be repealed. The Rockefeller laws are indiscriminate. The same punishment, usually 15-30 years is applied even if the crime was nonviolent. This means that armed drug thugs are getting the same time as the small town nonviolent pusher. Drug dealing