Prohibition Hangover-- Part 8: A Mistake?

In March 1933, soon after taking office, Roosevelt signed a law legalizing the sale of wine and 3.2% beer.  Congress also proposed a 21st Amendment that would repeal the 18th Amendment.  Prohibition formally ended that December, when Utah provided the final vote needed to ratify the new amendment.

One of the pitiest summaries of Prohibition came earlier -- a scathing assessment from journalist H.L. Mencken in 1925.

Five years of Prohibition (at the time) "completely disposed of all the favorite arguments of the Prohibitionists," he wrote, "There is not less crime, but more.  There is not less insanity, but more.  The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater.  Respect for the law has not increased, but diminshed."

Prohibition's centennial comes as the United States is incrementally ending the criminalization of marijuana.  Recreational use of pot is now legal in 11 states.  More than 30 allow its use for medical purposes.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal laws, but Ethan Nadelmann, founder of the pro-legalization Drug Policy Alliance, believes most Americans now view the anti-marijuana crusades of America's "War on drugs" as misguided in ways that evoke Prohibition.

Even some of the older generation are saying, "We went too far.  That was a mistake," he said.

--CootPro

A War on Marijuana DeKalb County (Illinois) in 1968

From the October 17, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"A team from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office waged  a full-scale war on cultivated and wild marijuana.

"The team, composed of Sheriff Mel Shaw, Chief Deputy Wilbur Scott, Det. Sgt. James Smoltich, Det. Joseph Salemi and a narcotics detective agent from the state bureau, attacked approximately  30 patches of marijuana with a chemical weed killer, 2-4-D."

Remember all that hemp plant planted during WW II for the war effort.  (See my Tattooed On Your Soul World War II blog for more on the hemp growing in DeKalb County.

So May Disappointed Hippies.  --Cooter

DeKalb County in 1940: The Sheriff's Growing Marijuana and Wants You to See It

From the July29, 2015, MidWeek "Looking Back."

The two stalks of marijuana growing in the  county jail yard are doing well.  Being weeds, as noxious weeds, they do not need attention.  When the True Republican stated that the stalks were nine and seven feet in height, he took Sheriff William Runnel's word for it.

Last Thursday, the sheriff exhibited the stalks of marijuana.  In the meantime each one had grown two more feet, and gave indication of towering even higher.

Anyone who wants to know what this deadly Mexican looks like can see the two stalks growing in the back of the sheriff's residence.

Something You Don't Expect from 1940.  --DaCoot

Eradication of the Mexican Weed (Marijuana) in DeKalb County, Illinois

From the July 21, 2015, DeKalb (Il) Midweek "Looking Back"

JULY 1940, 75 years ago.

Two years more is the time limit set by Sheriff W.D. Runnels for thye first eradication of every stalk of tye Mexican weed, Marijuana.  He estimate results from a survey of patches and the progress that has been made in combatting the weed in the last two years.

Genoa Township to have a 4.6 acre park at tye site of the old Chamberlain homestead on the southeast corner of Derby Line and Route 23.  It is at the bequeath in the will of the late Miss Lila Chamberlain.

A survey was made on the courthouse grounds in Sycamore for new sidewalks to be built on the grounds by the WPA.

Marijuana in 1940?  --Cooter