Quote Originally Posted by boaz
well, from what I understand from my years of studies at the History Channel Univ. :jointsmile: our founding fathers had a deep respect for hemp and its flowering cousin, cannabis. They all grew it. Jefferson had an extensive collection of seeds from all over the world.

but, for a pure cash crop, tobacco was a better choice because of its physical addictive properties. much like opium or heroin. once the English and the rest of the world got a taste of our tobacco they were hooked for life. Cha Ching! $$$$
I don't think it's so simple as just profit motive and tobacco being the golden ticket. Let's face it, we could have just as easily made a lot of money off of opium products as a replacement for alcoholic beverages within the alkie/junkie community. So much of it boils down to just plain bigorty. After all, arent all those other drugs for poor folks and people of color and squinty eyes???

Also, understand that most of this prohibitionist silly shit actually didn't begin to dominate our laws at the federal level until 1914 with the Harrison Act and of course the temperance movement and alcohol prohibition in 1920 under the 18th amendement. Although... you really do have to give the tobacco growers credit for coming up with one of the most insidious drugs out there and a delivery system guaranteed to insure medical casualties for decades to come!