Temperence movement does not go for Prohibition

In OTL people seeing the damage alcohol did persuaded themselves that Legal prohibition was the way to solve that problem.

Most people agree it was an error.

Could the idea of persuasion and making alcohol unfashionable have taken over the temperence movement?

Might the same have happened with other substances.
 
I think this is a possibility. There were folks like Abraham Lincoln who did not drink but still did not support prohibition.

Without Prohibition, the alliance of organized crime groups that we usually call "The Mafia" would not have become so powerful in the U.S. Also cultural changes like the popularity of Chicago-style Jazz would not happen (which would probably affect the whole future of American popular music). The alcohol culture would be very different, we would still have "saloons" where women were not welcome, mixed cocktails would not be so popular, and so on. I mentioned these in another thread about Prohibition, so they are the first things that come to mind.

KEVP
 
Suppose in 1916, congress outlawed distilled liquor, but continued to tax beer and wine. The prohibition amendment never passes and many states still allow beer and wine.

1917: An alcoholic limit of 16.5% is set for marketable beverages because some marketers increase alcoholic content by freezing and skimming the water-rich ice.

1918: The distilleries lobby to sell watered-down liquor to comply with the alcoholic limit. Soft drink and juice packagers rush in to sell bottled, pre-mixed drinks.

1920's: Illegal whiskey remains isolated and spotty, as the Mafia is content with an unlimited supply of wine.

1930's: No legislation is passed to outlaw marijuana, as the law turns its effort to moonshine, heroin and cocaine.

1950's: Alcohol limit raised to 19%.

1965: Program established to license bartenders to use full-strength whiskey as long as the mixed drink complies the alcohol limit when served.

1966: A court case erupts as one bar attempts to serve a full-strength Martini, on the contention that the drink would comply with the alcohol limit if the ice is melted.

Now, for those of you overseas, how might such a scenario impact liquor laws worldwide? After all it was American marijuana laws that set the OTL precedent.
 
Top