Something to contemplate as you attend Holiday Office parties and tree trimmings…..

On December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment – popularly known as “Prohibition,” was repealed…

New York Daily News; December 6, 1933. .. Headline says it all!

The 21st Amendment is the only one that repeals a previous amendment. Additionally, it is the the only time an amendment was sent out for ratification by state conventions rather than the usual method of approval by state legislatures.

– Treatise on Constitutional Law is available @ NYLI…

Why did politicians choose ratification by State Conventions rather than State Legislature for repealing Prohibition?

The Temperance Movement was still strong in many states, and Prohibition’s repeal by State Convention ratification got local politicians “off the hook” .…

Nutshells… a great “go to” on any legal topic…. NYLI has them available as eBooks to members.

And while the ban on alcohol was lifted by the 21st Amendment, court interpretation of its section 2 left individual states in charge of regulating the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol….

1966 Mississippi Chapter 540 allowed counties to individually vote “themselves out from under the prohibition law.” All 50 State Session and Superseded laws are available at NYLI

So as you toast the New Year, keep in mind that what’s in your glass (whether it be genuine French Champagne or the Champagne of Beers, lol) may not have always been legal in these United States!

Even free wheeling NY State has laws regulating Alcohol…. Join our NYLI elf in exploring all current & superseded McKinneys Laws of NY