The US Government Announces This: Record for marijuana arrests.

The Same Week It Does This: Toasts the the 75th anniversary of the end of alcohol prohibition. Here is part of the House’s irony-free resolution:

Whereas throughout American history, alcohol has been consumed by its citizens and regulated by the Government;

Whereas prior to the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which established Prohibition in the United States, abuses and insufficient regulation resulted in irresponsible overconsumption of alcohol;

Whereas passage of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited `the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors’ in the United States, resulted in a dramatic increase in illegal activity, including unsafe black market alcohol production, organized crime, and noncompliance with alcohol laws;

Whereas members of the licensed alcoholic beverage industry have created and supported a wide range of national, State, and community programs to address problems associated with alcohol abuse, including drunk driving and underage drinking: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress—

(1) celebrates 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation since the passage of the 21st Amendment; (2) recognizes State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community and industry members for creating a workable, legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale; and (3) continues to support policies that allow States to effectively regulate alcohol.

Government Officials in Massachusetts Said This:

An army of young drug addicts and dealers could flood the streets if voters don’t snub out a proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, a cadre of Bay State officials said.

The Coalition for Safe Streets, a joint group of law enforcement, religious and community leaders backed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Attorney General Martha Coakley, warned yesterday the proposal would spark a crime wave and efforts to keep kids clean would go up in smoke.

In Harder News: FDA cracks down on online Viagra.

Down in Bolivia: Kicks out US ambassador, gets blacklisted by US for drugs.

Meanwhile, in Canada: Green Party leader says, “I apologise” for having “never used marijuana.”