Pubdate: Wed, 14 Aug 2019
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2019 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Matthew M. Elrod

TOO SOON FOR A VERDICT ON POT LEGALIZATION

Re: "Legalizing pot is proving to be a public-health disaster," column, 
Aug. 11.

Lawrie McFarlane's verdict is premature. Legal regulation in Canada
isn't analogous to legalization in Colorado, for among other reasons,
Colorado allows advertising and initially allowed edibles and extracts
with inadequate labelling, packaging and dose limitations.

Yes, emergency-room visits from adverse reactions spiked in Colorado
following legalization, but this was due in part to inexperienced
tourists from prohibitionist states, and consumers feeling more
inclined to seek help once they no longer feared arrest. Panicked
patients are typically discharged (the wiser) on the same day, with no
lasting ill effects. Such visits remain far less common and severe
than visits related to alcohol, pharmaceuticals and tobacco.

McFarlane is also wrong to conclude that "every one of the
pro-legalization arguments is in doubt." As expected, senseless
arrests for cannabis possession have dropped while demand has remained
stable.

Yes, black market displacement has been slower than hoped in Canada,
but this is largely due to delays in implementation. Most cannabis
consumers are not price-sensitive. I, for example, wouldn't know where
to obtain black-market alcohol if I wanted it, and I don't mind paying
a little more for drinks of known potency, purity and provenance from
licensed vendors.

Matthew M. Elrod

Metchosin
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MAP posted-by: Matt