Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Steve Fox
Note: Steve Fox of Bethesda, Md., is executive director of the 
Council on Responsible Cannabis Regulation. Fox co-drafted Amendment 
64, and managed the Amendment 64 campaign.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n952/a04.html

Re: "Disturbing news on Colorado marijuana use," Dec. 29 editorial.

NO, IT'S BINGE DRINKING THAT'S DISTURBING

Your editorial called a recent survey's report of a rise in marijuana 
use in Colorado "disturbing." Let's put aside for a moment the fact 
that surveys of illicit drug use are subject to underreporting of 
use- a tendency likely to diminish once an activity becomes legal.

The more important question is why the editorial board considers an 
increase in marijuana use "disturbing." This survey only showed a 
statistically significant increase in consumption by adults. Is this 
disturbing for moral reasons or is it based on societal costs? Did 
the survey cite any specific negative public health outcomes from 
increased adult use? (Answer: No.)

If the editorial board wanted to bemoan specific data in the survey, 
perhaps it should have focused on the statistically significant 
increase in binge drinking in the state. Given the fact that alcohol 
is objectively more harmful than marijuana, the reckless use of 
alcohol by adults in Colorado is the truly disturbing trend.

With both marijuana and alcohol now legal in Colorado, it is time for 
leaders to get over their anti-marijuana bias and adopt a more 
reality-based approach to the two substances. Why, we should ask, is 
the state launching a $5.7 million public education campaign about 
marijuana, called "Good to Know," while remaining virtually silent 
about alcohol? Keep in mind, binge drinking is a widely recognized 
cause of major health problems and premature death.

If we truly care about public health, we should be focusing our 
resources on reducing harmful alcohol use. In fact, we should 
actually be encouraging a shift from alcohol use to marijuana use. If 
that seems jarring to you, ask yourself: Why do I prefer people use 
alcohol over marijuana? The answer, even if it's just in your own 
head, would be good to know.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom