On the whole, the initial economic effects of Prohibition were largely negative. The closing of breweries, distilleries, saloons , truckers, waiters, and other related trades led to the elimination of thousands of jobs. Prohibition cost the federal government a total of $11 billion in lost tax revenue, while costing over $300 million to enforce.
The growth of the illegal liquor trade under Prohibition made criminals of millions of Americans who were tempted by the inflated profits of illegal activity. As the trade in illegal alcohol became more lucrative, the quality of alcohol on the black market declined, killing on average, 1000 Americans each year.The effects of Prohibition on law enforcement were also negative. Police officers and Prohibition agents were tempted by bribes or the lucrative opportunity to go into bootlegging themselves. Many stayed honest, but enough succumbed to the temptation that the stereotype of the corrupt Prohibition agent or local cop undermined public trust in law enforcement. The jails and courts were overflowing demanding time that could have been devoted to other crimes.
We need to learn the lesson of prohibition. Cops are spending too much time fighting the drug war. Instead, legalize everything. Let the drug companies produce it. Sell it at cost plus taxes. If the drug lords come up with something something popular on the street, legalize and produce that too. History shows that taking the “naughty” factor out of it actually decreases use. Allow sales in bars, pharmacies, so their revenues increase. People gonna do what people gonna do. Give up the “drug war”, reap the tax rewards, cut down on the number of people we are having to feed in jails and put a whole lot of drug dealers out of business, while their profits go to better causes.
On the whole, the initial economic effects of Prohibition were largely negative. The closing of breweries, distilleries, saloons , truckers, waiters, and other related trades led to the elimination of thousands of jobs. Prohibition cost the federal government a total of $11 billion in lost tax revenue, while costing over $300 million to enforce.
The growth of the illegal liquor trade under Prohibition made criminals of millions of Americans who were tempted by the inflated profits of illegal activity. As the trade in illegal alcohol became more lucrative, the quality of alcohol on the black market declined, killing on average, 1000 Americans each year.The effects of Prohibition on law enforcement were also negative. Police officers and Prohibition agents were tempted by bribes or the lucrative opportunity to go into bootlegging themselves. Many stayed honest, but enough succumbed to the temptation that the stereotype of the corrupt Prohibition agent or local cop undermined public trust in law enforcement. The jails and courts were overflowing demanding time that could have been devoted to other crimes.
We need to learn the lesson of prohibition. Cops are spending too much time fighting the drug war. Instead, legalize everything. Let the drug companies produce it. Sell it at cost plus taxes. If the drug lords come up with something something popular on the street, legalize and produce that too. History shows that taking the “naughty” factor out of it actually decreases use. Allow sales in bars, pharmacies, so their revenues increase. People gonna do what people gonna do. Give up the “drug war”, reap the tax rewards, cut down on the number of people we are having to feed in jails and put a whole lot of drug dealers out of business, while their profits go to better causes.