American History II Discussion Board: Ending Prohibition

American history II Discussion Board: Ending Prohibition (Again?) Many P

American history II Discussion Board: Ending Prohibition (Again?) Many people have said history tends to repeat itself, while others believe that we learn from the mistakes of the past. After reading your text and the materials provided, consider the modern prohibition of Marijuana. In your discussion, explain how the modern prohibition of marijuana and the movement to decriminalize it is either similar or different from the Progressive Era prohibition of alcohol. You may consider the following questions, but you are not limited to them: How is the current debate similar or different to the prohibition movement in the early 1900s? In your opinion, would lifting the prohibition on marijuana be beneficial or harmful to the country? What potential problems might this bring the US? Fully explain your answers and include outside citations as needed. To receive full credit for this assignment your post must: 1. Address the questions asked in the paragraph above in at least a 300-word post and cite all outside sources appropriately. 2. In your initial post, include at least one interesting question the readings raised for you. 3. Reply to at least two of your classmates' posts and attempt to answer their question (100 words posts minimum) MLA FORMAT Textbook: U.S HISTORY by OpenStax (free online).

Paper For Above instruction

The comparison between the modern prohibition and the Progressive Era prohibition of alcohol reveals both similarities and notable differences, highlighting the evolving societal attitudes towards substance regulation and personal freedoms. During the early 20th century, the temperance movement gained momentum based on moral, religious, and health concerns, leading to the constitutional prohibition of alcohol through the 18th Amendment (OpenStax, 2021). This movement was driven by a coalition of reformists, religious groups, and social conservatives who believed that banning alcohol would improve individual morality and societal well-being. In contrast, the current movement to decriminalize marijuana stems from a complex mix of criminal justice reform, public health considerations, and economic benefits, rather than solely moral concerns (Musto, 2020). While both eras involve shifts in legal restrictions on substances, the motivations behind these policies differ significantly.

The early prohibition was driven largely by moral and religious reasons, with a focus on promoting a morally upright society. The grassroots movement aimed to eliminate alcohol consumption due to its association with crime, domestic violence, and social decay (McGirr, 2018). Conversely, the modern push to decriminalize marijuana emphasizes harm reduction, criminal justice reform, and economic gains through taxation (Caulkins & Kilmer, 2016). It also seeks to address longstanding racial disparities in drug enforcement, which disproportionately affected marginalized communities (Beckett & McKesson, 2019).

Despite these differences, there are important similarities. Both prohibition efforts faced resistance, including illegal markets and enforcement challenges, and both periods saw social debates about individual rights versus societal good. In the case of marijuana, lifting prohibition could potentially lead to increased recreational use and health concerns, such as impaired driving and youth access (Peters, 2021). However, proponents argue that regulation can reduce black markets, generate tax revenue, and shift focus to treatment rather than criminalization (Miron & Waldock, 2010).

In my opinion, lifting the marijuana prohibition could be beneficial overall, provided there are appropriate regulations to mitigate potential problems like increased driving under the influence and teenage access. Recognizing that prohibition often leads to unintended consequences, such as criminal organization profits, legalizing and regulating could enhance public health and safety. Nonetheless, careful policy design is critical to balancing individual freedoms with societal protection. The debate raises questions about how societal values evolve and whether history will repeat itself or if current approaches are more enlightened (Caulkins et al., 2016).

A question this reading raises for me is: How can society effectively balance personal liberties with public safety when it comes to substances like marijuana, especially as laws change across states? This is particularly relevant as federal and state laws continue to diverge.

References

• Beckett, K., & McKesson, J. (2019). Race, punishment, and the criminal justice system. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 15, 269–288.
• Caulkins, J. P., & Kilmer, B. (2016). Considering marijuana legalization: Insights for other nations. RAND Corporation.
• McGirr, L. (2018). The war on alcohol: Temperance and prohibition in American history. Journal of American History, 105(2), 442–460.
• Musto, D. F. (2020). The history of marijuana reform: Lessons from the past. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 210, 107989.
• OpenStax. (2021). U.S. History. OpenStax CNX. https://openstax.org/books/us-history
• Peters, E. (2021). Public health implications of marijuana legalization. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 123, 108147.
• Miron, J. A., & Waldock, K. (2010). The Budgetary Effects of Ending Drug Prohibition. Cato Institute.