Marijuana and similarities to Prohibition

Does anyone remember that alcohol was illegal in the 1920s? It was called Prohibition. The result was that more people drank than before, because it was illegal, organized crime took over production and sales of alcohol and gun violence became rampant in the major cities, especially Chicago. Prohibition ended after only a short time because the government had the sense to realize that it backfired.

The marijuana laws have had the same effect as Prohibition. The government is just not ready to admit it. Marijuana should be legalized in the same manner as alcohol. It may be true that the police do not yet have accurate means to determine the blood level of THC. Prior to the 1980s the police did not have accurate means to determine a person's BAC level. If a person was driving erratically, smelled of alcohol, could not walk a straight line, and/or had slurred speech and coordination problems, that was enough for a DUI arrest. Why is that not enough for an arrest on charges of driving while being stoned?

The marijuana laws came from the 1950s McCarthy anti-communist era. They were foolish and need to end.

Rich Lorimer

Streamwood