Pubdate: Wed, 09 Nov 2016
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Author: Todd Ramsey
Note: Headline by newshawk

THC IN THE BODY DOESN'T MEAN INTOXICATION

You cite statistics on the rise in "pot-related traffic deaths" in
Washington and Colorado, statistics that come from studies that
measure THC in the system of fatality-involved drivers. The presence
of THC might simply indicate that the person has used marijuana within
the last several days and may not have been THC intoxicated at the
time of the accident. You make no note of the study cited in the
Journal of Law and Economics concluding that, "legalization is
associated with an 8%-11% decrease in traffic fatalities," nor the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study showing no
statistically significant increase in THC-related deaths once the
researchers accounted for co-variables.

Your editorial also cites the rise in calls to poison control centers
for overdoses, without allowing for the possibility that people are
more likely to call for outside help when they don't fear arrest. In
this light, the rise in poison control calls can be viewed as positive.

The jury is out on whether legalized marijuana is good for society.

Todd Ramsey

Shoreline, Wash.
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MAP posted-by: Matt