Why is Moonshine whiskey illegal?
by 
Brandy Hinnant
ANSWERS: 14
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The primary reason that moonshine is illegal is because the moonshiners do not pay taxes on the liquor (approx. $2.9 Million evaded from 1992 - 1999). Also, moonshine operations are generally not very sanitary, raising public heath concerns. Penalties are generally light in Virginia and producing moonshine is very profitable, that is why they continue to produce moonshine today.
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Note: I don't believe moonshine is illegal. Not having a licence to distill alcohol is illegal. Why do you need a licence? So that you can pay taxes on your production. Of course not paying taxes is illegal! I believe even ownership of the equipment (a still) is illegal. I will add to my answer the following: No, Scottythinks is correct; it is technically legal to own a still today. However, if you operate it you are breaking the law anywhere in the US. Even if you are not selling the products, be they drink or fuel. The only way you can USE a still is to go through a extensive application process, AND be approved by ATF. And if you get approval, you must follow all the rules and regulations, construction, separate building, use, record keeping, reports, bonds, special taxes, etc, whew! Making your own wine or beer just requires you make no more than 100 gal/person/yr or 200 gal/family/yr) and don't sell it.
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One reason is to ensure that nobody is producing harmful products. Alcohol that is too pure can easily lead to alcohol poisoning. Impurities in the mixture from a poor still construction or bad raw materials can lead to other potentially fatal conditions. This includes lead poisoning from solder joints and methanol poisoning when too much cellulose gets into the mixture.
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It is not illegal to produce up to 2 gallons of moonshine for personal consumption only. Just don't sell it!
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Because our GovCo. is 1)semi-theocratic and enjoys cramming it's morality down our throats and 2)It doesn't like any productive or profitable activity that it can't plunder for use of extending it's power.
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Basically because the Government does not get any tax tevenue. You can produce a small amount for personal consumption. It tastes so awful I cannot understand why people would want it . Methylated Spirits I am pretty sure tastes similar and is not expensive.
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The problem is the fact that the government can not tax the ingredients of moonshine at the same level as they tax the alcohol you buy in the shops. Because of this they remove your right to make it. America is NOT a free country! The people of the US have to deal with alot more freedom restricting laws than any other 1st world country, its just a pity half the country dont know that and think they are free and the other half dont know that they are not the only 1st world country in the world! (OK, so not quite half on both counts, maybe 47%)
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Because you get paraletic on 5p's worth.
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why is jacking off in public illegal ass hole.
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Because if its not properly made the alcohol could kill you
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Its not illegal here in Ireland !,
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If the government doesn't get it's cut, whatever it is, it's illegal.
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Because the YOU-nited States Gummint kain't tax it you dipstick!
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As far as I'm aware it's legal in Michigan.
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