Prohibition

Governments often attemp to prohibit people from producing, selling, or using certain substances

Alcohol prohibition, 1918-1933 Marijuana prohibition, 1937-present

Several states and counties had been “dry” prior to the

“Temperance” movement part of the “progressive’ movement of the early 20th cent.

Cocaine

Native South Americans chewed coca leaves for mild stimulation, ca. 1500

1863 wine/cocaine cocktail sold as stimulant 1887 U.S. Surgeon General recommended

cocaine as treatment for depression Sigmund Freud was a heavy user 1906 Coca-Cola removed cocaine from its

recipe 1914 outlawed in the U.S. Gained popularity in 1970’s Crack cocaine epidemic, 1980’s

Cocaine as “medicine”

Opium

Source: poppy seed. Main product of Afghanistan

Origin in Islamic societies Introduced to China by traders, use became

widespread British began to use opium for trade with

China. Banned by Chinese, leading to Opium War of 1840

Used in “tonics” by affluent ladies Superceded by morphine, heroin

Marijuana

Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 Taxed Repealed 1960’s

Hysterical propaganda -- “Reefer Madness”

Hemp is a very useful fiber from MJ -- growing encouraged during WW2

Historical medical and sacramental uses

U.S. HHS Dept. holds a patent on medical MJ!!

Legalization movement

Medical marijuana now legal California, 1996 17 other states since then Much of what is sold as “medical” MJ is probably

for recreational use Obama’s U. S. Attorney for N. Cal. has started a

brutal assault on medical MJ providers Complete legalization in Colorado &

Washington State as of Nov. 2012 Potential for federal/state conflict

Economics of prohibition

Increased prices Prices of cheaper stuff (MJ) increase more

relative to price of hard stuff (heroin) Many users/addicts turn to crime Disproportionate impact on young blacks

Generally less prepared for productive careers (education, family background)

Drug dealing an attractive alternative Decreased quality

No public marketplace Shift to more potent and more dangerous

substitutes (e.g. wood alcohol) Diversion of law enforcement resources

Prohibition: who benefits?

Prohibition began as a sincere efforts by evangelical Protestants and others to curb the ill effects of alcohol and later drugs

Co-opted by special interests: Progressive-era zealots eager to control other

people’s lives Coporations like duPont whose artificial fibers

and lubricating oils competed with hemp After alcohol prohibition ended, bureaucracies

cast about for something else to do – MJ prohibition

Prohibition can be a big money-maker for police, via asset forfeiture

Asset forfeiture

The practice of seizing assets that are allegedly involved in criminal activity

No proof of guilt is required, though evidence must be presented

Things are held to be “guilty” of crimes as if they were people

Very profitable for police, who generally get a cut of the loot when federal law enforcement is involved