We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Prohibition?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Feb 07, 2024
Views: 9,247
Share

In a legal sense, a prohibition is a ban on a particular activity or substance. Prohibitions are usually mandated in response to concerns about safety or ethical issues. Sometimes people use this term in the legal sense to specifically describe bans on drugs and alcohol, although in fact any number of substances can be prohibited by law. Consequences for breaking prohibition can include jail time, fines, and property seizure, if the property is used in illegal activities.

Governments can pass prohibition laws in their legislature and individual judges can issue prohibition orders. With laws, the law is designed to limit availability of a substance or engagement in an activity and to criminalize lawbreaking behavior. For example, a government may prohibit the use, cultivation, or sale of marijuana and provide penalties including fines and jail time for people who violate the law. Such laws are often passed to prohibit dangerous substances or activities that are not deemed to have any redeeming value. For things that pose a danger but also have practical applications, the government may pass limiting laws, such as the controlled substances legislation used to classify and control dangerous medications.

In the case of a court order, a prohibition applies to a specific person and the judge orders the person to desist from a given activity. The court order is issued when someone presents the judge with compelling evidence such as indications that a person's behavior is interfering with the operations of a business. A judge in a higher court can also issue what is known as a writ of prohibition to order a lower court to stop trying a case that falls outside its jurisdiction.

In the case of bans on alcohol and drugs, a prohibition is a form of sumptuary law. Sumptuary laws are laws that are intended to regulate consumption in some form. Historically, they were used to limit everything from the types of fabric people could buy to the accessibility of alcohol. Such laws often have moral overtones; for example, people of lower classes were banned from wearing luxury fibers because it was deemed morally inappropriate.

One of the most famous prohibition laws was passed in the United States with an amendment to the Constitution in the early 20th century. Between 1920 and 1933, alcohol was banned. Despite the best efforts of the government, many Americans continued to drink liberally during Prohibition and some elected officials lobbied vehemently against it. Ultimately, Prohibition was repealed with another amendment.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-prohibition.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.