Amendment 18

Section 1. 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.



Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.


Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Alcohol was now illegal in the United States. Prohibition was the start of organized crime.

‘Four Loko’ to ban or not to ban?
UMKC E-NEWS



By Mark Linville (mlinville@unews.com), on November 29th, 2010


An FDA warning has put alcoholic beverage Four Loko in the spotlight of controversy. Pictured left is a can of Four Loko. On the right, for comparison purpose, is a 12 fl oz can of Coca-Cola.


In recent months, an energy drink containing 12 percent alcohol, began selling in the Kansas City Metro.


The drink, called Four Loko, has become very popular for young party goers nationwide.


Four Loko debuted in 2008 and is distributed by Phusion Projects, LLC.


The drink is a malt beverage that contains four active ingredients: Caffeine, alcohol, guanine, and taurine.


Each can of Four Loko contains 23.5 ounces of liquid, double the amount of a regular can of beer.


Regardless of how popular it is, Four Loko became the subject of controversy as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began reviewing the drink, along with several others.


On Nov. 17, the FDA released warning letters to four U.S. brewing companies whose drinks they found harmful.


The FDA warned Charge Beverage Corp, which makes Core High Gravity HG, New Century Brewing Company, LLC, makers of Moonshot, United Brands Company, which brews Joose and Max energy drinks and of course Phusion Projects.


The reason for the warning comes from scientific studies and observations conducted by toxicology, neuropharmacology, emergency medicine and epidemiology experts.


“There is evidence that the combinations of caffeine and alcohol in these products pose a public health concern,” said Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua M. Sharfstein in an official FDA news release.


The combination of alcohol, which acts as a depressant to the body, and caffeine, a body stimulate, creates an imbalance of body functions and can impair one’s judgment and sensory functions.


“The FDA said peer-reviewed studies suggest that the consumption of beverages containing added caffeine and alcohol is associated with risky behaviors that may lead to hazardous and life-threatening situations,” an FDA news release said.


The FDA also found the four brewing companies to be in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), which restricts what companies can include in brewing recipes.


The warning letters were issued to the companies, who were given 15 days to reformulate their product or take measures to comply with of the FFDCA.

“If the FDA believes that the violation continues to exist, the agency may persue an enforcement action that could include seizure of the products or an injunction to prevent the firm from continuing to produce the product until the violation has be corrected,” an FDA news release said.

On Nov. 16, the FDA received an unofficial announcement that Phusion Products plans to reformulate their product by removing the caffeine content from Four Loko.


“The FDA views this announcement as a positive step,” FDA news release stated. “[The] FDA plans to work that Phusion Projects and other manufacturers to assure their products meet safe standards.”


An additional news release states since the FDA issued the warning letters, to the four companies including Phusion Projects, the agency confirmed all four companies have ceased production of the drinks in question.
The release said “Phusion Projects has advised the FDA that it has ceased producing caffeinated alcoholic beverages, is no longer shipping such products, and expects to have all of its caffeinated alcoholic beverages off retail store shelves by December 13. Phusion Projects is the maker of Four Loko.”


In wake of the FDA warnings, many state governments across the country began to ban Four Loko and other drinks believed to be harmful.


In the state of Kansas, officials have decided to remove the drink from store shelves and prevent any distribution in the state.


According to an article published by The Kansan, the Kansas Department of Revenue has deemed all flavors of Four Loko, Four Maxed, Joose, and Max energy drinks illegal for sale or distribution.


According to the article, Spokeswomen Freda Warfield of the Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) stated that once Phusion Projects reformulates their product, then the banning of Four Loko will be reviewed by the ABC.


Although there were no official reports of banning or actions found regarding Missouri; there have been mixed views of the drink’s future.


Spokesman for the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Mike O’Donnell said “Banning Four Loko would be difficult to do because it is not a controlled substance.” In an interview with “KOMU-TV8” in Columbia, Mo.


“We’re in a different situation than various other states in that they have a particular commission that can ban these substances,” O’Donnell said. “However, we could have to wait until there is action taken by the legislature.”


Several, stores in Kansas City sell Four Loko. It is unknown if they have been notified by Phusion Projects to stop selling the drink.


At UMKC, the drink has become popular among students.


Junior Danielle Young said she likes Four Loko.


“I thought it was tasty and fun,” Young said. “But I can tell it could probably get out of hand quickly if not handled responsibly.”


Senior Charlie Tidwell said he has never tried Four Loko


“I’ve had vodka red bull though, and those don’t do anything for me. I get no effect from the combination of alcohol and caffeine,” Tidwell said.


A UMKC fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), banned the drink. SAE decided to ban Four Loko due the reported effects of consuming the beverage.


“Our executive council saw this as an opportunity to be a leader on campus and within our community,” Chapter President Andrew Daniels said.


Twenty dollars per can is the penalty for possesion for those who violate the fraternal ban. “Personally, I am proud of the chapter for making this decision,” Daniels said.

Since this article was writted Four Loko has officially been banned in Missouri. Many question whether or not this action crosses the line into Prohibition.




This video is an excert from the movie Some Like It Hot. This film is about two gentlemen on the run after winessing a murder covering up prohibition crimes.