Did the 18th amendment (prohibition) made it illegal to drink alcoholic beverages?
The 18th amendment to the U.S. constitution, commonly known as “prohibition,” was passed on December 18, 1917. This amendment created a new underground network of “speakeasies” (establishments that sold illegal booze), often operated by the mafia.
The full text of the amendment is as follows:
“After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited…”
Note there is no mention of purchasing or drinking “intoxicating liquors,” only their manufacture, sale or transportation. Therefore, if the police busted into the speakeasy where you were imbibing, you would not be arrested but the owners would be.
Years later, the Volstead Act would extend the ban to purchase and possession of alcohol. The Volstead bill was actually vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson, but the veto was overridden by Congress.
The 18th amendment was repealed on December 5, 1933, and is the only constitutional amendment ever to be repealed.
