Pubdate: Wed, 09 Dec 2015
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Matthew M. Elrod
Referenced: http://drugsense.org/url/Z2VUDEYV
Page: A9

PERHAPS POT, LIQUOR SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TOGETHER

Re: "Pot sales need strict regulation," Dec. 5.

While it is true that cannabis prohibition has impeded research
intended to find therapeutic benefits, it has stimulated funding and
approval of research intended to find harms.

Unlike new pharmaceutical drugs, cannabis has been used by millions of
consumers for thousands of years. Our so-called "rigorous"
drug-approval process is intended for new pharmaceuticals, not herbs
and other traditional, natural health products.

There would be pros and cons to selling cannabis with alcohol.
Liquor-store employees are generally unfamiliar with cannabis and
unqualified to offer advice. People with drinking problems who have
switched to cannabis might not appreciate the temptation of alcohol
sales where they purchase cannabis. Great care must be taken when
using cannabis and alcohol together.

Cannabis is an economic substitute for alcohol. When cannabis use goes
up, alcohol use goes down, along with the related social costs such as
addiction, crime, violence, disease, accidents and overdose deaths.
What is not clear is whether selling the two substances together would
encourage or negate this desirable "substitution effect."

Matthew M. Elrod

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Matt