Heroin was first derived from the opium poppy flower in the late 19th century by drug manufacturer Bayer. The same company later distributed the drug as a cough suppressant and pain reliever. In 1914, the federal government put the first heroin restrictions in place that limited the distribution of the drug. Nowadays, state laws vary in the severity of sentencing depending on state legislation. In 1986 lawmakers did enact a mandatory minimum sentencing guideline for drug offenses in an effort to crackdown on organized illegal distributors. Many states such as Kentucky have adopted some of these methods of harsh drug sentencing and carry some of the most extreme consequences. States like California, on the other hand, have some of the most lenient sentencing which focuses more on small fines and shorter jail time for drug possession to emphasize rehabilitation.