Pot and prohibition

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The fantastic thing about being a history nerd is how often I notice when it repeats itself.

Take for example, prohibition and the current marijuana problem.

Alcohol has been a problem with this country since day one. We are a nation founded by morally conservative (yet horribly hypocritical) leaders. For hundred of years the nation managed to turn it’s head on alcohol use and abuse, as it was needed to survive conquering the West and cope with blasting our way though nature.

But in the 1920′s, America was civilized. Cities were built, industry was booming – consuming alcohol became social. The temperance movement gained momentum and prohibition was born. Written into our Constitution (yes, the same Constitution that freed the slaves and birthed a nation), it became illegal to drink.

And what came of it? The most notorious gangsters of our time, like Al Capone.

But even the bloodshed and increased crime rates seen during prohibition weren’t enough to repeal the act.

What did you ask?

The Great Depression. America needed money, so in 1933, alcohol was put back on the market.

So you can imagine my delight when I read online recently that California is putting a measure on the November ballot to legalize the sale and possession of marijuana.

“Taxing marijuana sales could help bail out the cash-strapped state.”

Let’s look at the marijuana statistics:

• 1,211 metric tons seized in 2001 (nearly 2.5 million pounds or 50 semi-trailers)
• $1 trillion in costs over 40 years

You only have to look back less than a century to see our success with legislating morality.

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Tags: Al Capone, alcohol, California, Cannabis (drug), Constitution, Great Depression, Temperance movement, United States