How Did Gatsby Become A Millionaire?

What would you do if over night, your neighbor suddenly became a millionaire? Out of nowhere, he has a great fortune. No job, no inheritances, or good explanations. It must be something illegal. It has to be. With the passing of the 18th Amendment, the United States government brought forth a time period known as Prohibition. During this time period, the sale, transportation and consumption of alcohol became illegal. Jay Gatsby, a new money man, made his fortune selling illegal alcohol out of the numerous drug stores that he opened. 
 With the start of Prohibition, a sudden rise in crime occurred. Much of the crime was in direct relation to the illegal sale of alcohol. The rising demand for alcohol became an interesting business proposition
for people like Jay Gatsby, who took advantage of the situation and used it to make millions selling illegal alcohol.
Tori Avey, a writer for PBS, wrote “the government unwittingly made it more desirable, more fashionable, and something eager consumers had to get their hands on,”. This quote provides further evidence that shows the want for alcohol created an illegal marketplace and boosted popularity if you were daring enough to obtain it. Jay Gatsby also used alcohol to gain riches out of desperation to throw huge parties at his mansion on Long Island to impress his crush, Daisy Buchanan. Tori Avey also wrote in her article “Gatsby devotes his life to accumulating riches in order to attract the attention of romantic obsession, the lovely but spoiled, Daisy Buchanan”. The purpose of this quote is to prove that Jay Gatsby was so eager to impress Daisy that he went to great illegal lengths to gain fortune.
 During the 1920’s, a relatively easy way of obtaining alcohol legally was by getting a prescription for it. Doctors all over the country were paid high dollar to prescribe “medicinal alcohol” to patients for many illnesses including alcoholism. A medicine containing high amounts of alcohol became very popular throughout the nation. Jay Gatsby used this opportunity to open up a series of drug stores where he specialized in selling this
“medicine”. Gatsby’s chain of drug stores were the “legal face” to his highly illegal operation. He made millions selling this medicine and used his profits to throw massive parties and buy large amounts of alcohol to provide for his guests. Mark Thornton of the Mises Institute writes “The mysterious Jay Gatsby indeed does become “filthy” rich by selling illegal booze. During Prohibition doctors could prescribe “medicinal liquor” for their patients for literally dozens of ailments, including alcoholism. Gatsby sees this as an opportunity and establishes a chain of drugstores with the help of organized crime and corrupt politician,”. This quote provides evidence that shows how Gatsby opened his drug stores and sold his medicine. Doctors used these prescriptions to help certain patients with asthma, teething, and many other legitimate ailments. But the majority of pharmacists and doctors just used these to make money. Megan Gambino, a Smithsonian Institute writer, wrote “Every ten days, patients willing to pay about $3 for a prescription and another $3 or $4 to have it filled could get a pint of booze. “There may have been some people who were being prescribed because there was a perceived medical need, but it was really a way for some physicians and pharmacists to make a few extra bucks,”. This quote shows how corrupt the government, the people, and even the doctors were at this time. Everybody used the ban of alcohol to make money selling alcohol. 
 In conclusion, Jay Gatsby a new money man used the ban of alcohol known as Prohibition to make millions by opening drug stores and selling legal alcohol to patients. His motive was to impress his longtime love, Daisy Buchanan.