Why are laws on alcohol so lenient?
113699
Not sure where you are from ... but the drinking laws in Michigan are quite strict... the problem isn't with enough laws it's with the lack of ability to enforce them.
881676
The raising of the drinking age to 21 was due to strong arm tactics of the federal government supressing state's rights.  Sometime around the late 80's, the federal gov't threatened to withold federal highway funds to those states which did not raise their drinking age to 21 for all alcoholic beverages.  It was extortion considering that the citizens of the states were paying federal income taxes already.  The states couldn't afford to miss the redistribution of the citizen's money via the federal government and were compelled to raise the ages.  Buhana and Stephanie, It is not federal law but it is 21 for each state across all 50.  2 minutes on wikipedia would have told you so.
563381
What would you be preventing from that? it would just make it less convenient for people who want alcohol\n\nThere is no reason to do this unless you are trying to prevent underage drinking or drinking and driving.. which are not prevented by not selling them else were\n\nyou do need a liquor license to sell alcohol.. so it is regulated.. not everyone can sell it, and they have to demonstrate the ability to sell it responsibly
493070
Because this is America and you can do whatever you want until you get cuaght. Perhaps the police are taking the same stand on drug laws as immigration laws The problem is just too big so o well lets just let them do what ever they want.
923613
Because the government makes a lot of money from them. Alchohol actually has some health benefits in moderation. Tobacco is just a big money maker
428157
Who knows about Texas.  \n\nIn California, I can arrest anyone in public (and this includes a bar) who is intoxicated to the point that they are unable to care for their safety, or the safety of others.  If you're that drunk (and obviously this is open to some interpretation), you really need to be locked up if only for your own protection.\n\nOften, this happens with guys who have a few too many cans of man in them, and think they can take on the entire bar at one time.  That sort of shows they're not capable of taking care of their own safety very well.
287665
This is an idea that sounds like it might work, but it doesn't. \n\nMaryland used to have this setup: 18 for beer and wine, 21 for hard liquor.  But everyone knew you could just as drunk on beer and wine if you drank more of it, and this is the type of challenge 18 year olds are eager to take on.  So the rule was pointless. It created a sort of gray area where a strict adherence to black and white would be a better policy.\n\nMaryland scrapped the rule. Now it's 21 for everything.
216407
Its actualy illigal to gret brunk in any bar. the only place you cna legaly be drunk is on private property.
515230
ALL FOR IT!!\n\nHerbal remedies are lovely...!!  It's ridiculous for alcohol to be legal.  When's the last time you heard of someone being killed by a 'high-driver'??  lol
396515
During the Progressive Movement, people wanted to make the moral standard of the United States a bit better. One way to do that was using Prohibition, or to stop the selling and/or manufacturing of alcohol or other intoxicating substance.
531598
less than it is now. Too many people drive after drinking and although some handle it fine others dont so if it was lower then the ones who dont handel their liquor will be in trouble too
845117
"Drinking too much and taking to the water leads to dangerous situations. When you drink and boat, you not only endanger yourself, but also everyone in your boat and others on the waterway.\n\nDrinking and driving (whether on land or water) is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code, meaning you can be fined or imprisoned if found guilty of an offense. Provinces and territories have their own rules to determine when alcohol can be consumed or how it can be transported aboard a vessel. Contact your local authorities for more information. "\n\nInfos: http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/infosheets/recreationalBoating.htm\nTransport Canada -
1036480
Believe it or not drug laws are not intended to protect the user, but those whom they encounter.  Most adults can have a drink without becoming intoxicated.  On the other hand, most people are high after just one joint.  \n\nPublic drunkeness and driving while intoxicated are illegal in all 50 states.  Baretenders  and the hosts of parties are responsible for limiting the number of drinks their guests/customers ingest.
399510
Beats me, it's illegal in the UK :)\n\n<edit>\nSelling alcohol in Gas Stations I mean\n</edit>
584922
Because you can kill people...including yourself.\n\nDrinking and driving is like running drunk through a crowd of people with a butcher's knife in your hand.
714833
The problem is systemic and it really doesn't matter which party is in charge.  Suppose you had a Republican alcoholic and a Demorat alcoholic.  Regardless of their political philosophy, each cannot control his intake of alcohol.  Analalgously, our fiscal system is like a liquor store; politicians of whichever party cannot control themselves when they get to spend other people's money.
432407
It was an amendment to the US Constitution that prohibited the sale of alcohol.  It was later repealed.