Marijuana Vs Prohibition Essay

Alcohol and marijuana are both substances that are despised by many individuals- especially the older generations. Many believed and still think that alcohol and marijuana, among various drugs and substances, cause people to lose their sound judgment and behave irresponsibly- occasionally reaching a point of violence if a high amount of the substance is consumed. In fact, they are thought to be a key factor in a person’s downfall occasionally. Several individuals support the ban of these substances at any cost.

This is evident by the Prohibition period of Canada’s history and by the current laws and restrictions placed on the use and distribution of marijuana. The only difference between the two is that at the time, Prohibition was more encouraged by women who were just starting to realize their own potential as voters
and workers- fighting for equality and to vote.
They wanted it banned due to the fact that when their husbands drank, they could at times become violent and hurt the women and their children. Conversely, marijuana was banned due to people from both genders being equally opposed to the use of it and wanting to see it banned. Nonetheless, merely placing a ban on something that much of the world depends on won’t solve the issue. When told to not do something, one tends to do exactly that. So why would an entire country be any different? In the Prohibition period, alcohol was still distributed. Granted it was illegal and at times dangerous due to being a homemade concoction, but for most people some alcohol was better than none. Criminal organizations became more powerful due to being able to sell alcohol for high prices while the government lost income made on alcohol taxes. Naturally, this led the government to rethink the ban, thus resulting in the end of Prohibition. In the same way, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is proposing the legalization of marijuana. And why not? Marijuana is still being distributed illegally as alcohol was and is just putting more power into
the hands of criminal organizations that are benefitting from selling the substance for high prices to willing customers. Just because the use and distribution of marijuana is illegal, doesn’t mean that anyone is being helped. Those who really want to use it will get it one way or another. Nonetheless, instead of people becoming sick from the use of homemade or dangerous marijuana and moreover, the government losing income generated by marijuana taxes, the government could just benefit itself and the rest of Canada.

To be honest, marijuana and alcohol –among other soft drugs and substances- are not very beneficial for health. However, when it comes to running a country, it’s better for the government to use a situation to their advantage if that ends up helping the people. So much good can come from the taxes generated by marijuana taxes while banning it only gives power to criminals. The possible legalization of marijuana will help the economy further as the lift of the ban on alcohol did after the Prohibition period ended. The government in both cases realized that instead of letting smugglers and criminals get away with making more money on an illegal substance, they should benefit from lifting the laws against the use and distribution of alcohol back then and marijuana now and regain the income generated by alcohol and marijuana taxes. Even though the ending of Prohibition occurred at a very different time than the possible legalization of marijuana that is occurring now, it doesn’t change the similarities in and the advantages of the concept of legalizing either one.