What the Pot Legalization Campaign Really Threatens: Alcohol Industry Profits

[marmar]

via AlterNet:



Creators Syndicate / By David Sirota

What the Pot Legalization Campaign Really Threatens: Alcohol Industry Profits
In a society drunk off of alcohol propaganda we've had trouble separating fact from fiction. Legalizing pot would bring some sense to things.


September 23, 2010 | Here's a fact that even drug policy reform advocates can acknowledge: California's 2010 ballot initiative to legalize marijuana does, indeed, pose a real threat, as conservative culture warriors insist. But not to public health, as those conservatives claim.

According to most physicians, pot is less toxic -- and has more medicinal applications -- than a legal and more pervasive drug like alcohol. Whereas alcohol causes hundreds of annual overdose deaths, contributes to untold numbers of illnesses and is a major factor in violent crime, marijuana has never resulted in a fatal overdose and has not been systemically linked to major illness or violent crime.

So this ballot measure is no public health threat. If anything, it would give the millions of citizens who want to use inebriating substances a safer alternative to alcohol. Which, of course, gets to what this ballot initiative really endangers: alcohol industry profits.

That truth is underscored by news this week that the California Beer and Beverage Distributors is financing the campaign against the legalization initiative. This is the same group that bankrolled opposition to a 2008 ballot measure, which would have reduced penalties for marijuana possession. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/drugs/148279/what_the_pot_legalization_campaign_really_threatens%3A_alcohol_industry_profits/

[bemildred]

1. Among others.

Pharmaceutical companies, wood pulp companies, etc.

[MindPilot]

2. Given that most people I know like beer *with* their smoke

I really don't see why the alcohol industry would oppose legalization. It seems like their best position would be quietly neutral.

I know exactly zero people who would quit drinking and start smoking.

[LittleGirl]

4. Better count me.

I only drink because I can't smoke legally.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. The first thing I managed to say when I first smoked pot

was this: Why does anyone drink alcohol if this exists?
Basically that was it for me and drink. That was over 30 years ago. I know many, many people who do not drink but make us of ganja. Most people I know simply do not drink, or drink very rarely and lightly. I can not think of one who drinks beer with it. Or anything else. Coffee, sure.
So your expereience and mine are very different. I think what the drink industry knows is that given the choice, a good number of pepole who would become drinkers will not become drinkers. It is not about 'switchers' so much as those who never pick up drink as a habit at all. Becuase they have a better choice.
Might surprise you to hear that many people I know describe the difference between alcohol and pot in terms of caloric and carb counts. Pot scores a zero. For people who need to keep in shape the choice is very clear.

[bemildred]

7. I never mix them.

Used to when I was younger, but now I realize it's a waste of both.

[frylock]

11. right?!

[notadmblnd]

3. No it won't. when it comes to drug of choice, most people are either or

Drinkers are not usually frequent pot smokers and most pot smokers aren't frequent drinkers. I do know some people that enjoy both and wouldn't give alcohol or Mj up for the world. But most are either strictly drinkers or strictly pot smokers. I am a pot smoker, drinking makes me niothig but sick and tired. I puke and then I go to sleep. Mj does not interrupt the functions of my day like alcohol does, so I'm not an alcohol drinker. I wouldn't purchase any more alcohol than I already do if mj was legal, which is currently almost none.

[raccoon]

10. I've known people who, because they have a drinking problem, quit drinking

and start smoking.

[Hepburn]

5. Keeping MJ illegal ~~ except for personal use ~~ is stupid.

Legalizing it is going to bring much needed revenue and lessen expenses of enforcing the current rules, regs and laws.

Legalize it. In fact, legalize any vice that involves consenting adults. I do not give a damn what someone wants to do in his/her own home or bedroom. It just gets to me that the RWs want less government...except when it deals with their RW moral views.

[DirkGently]

8. This emperor has been without clothes for a long time. (Good find)

[Uncle Joe]

9. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, marmar.

[Politicalboi]

12. That's right people

Poor Poor Alcohol companies. Who's gonna pay the 3 cute frogs to teach your child how to say "Bud Wise' Er". I hope this eats into their stinking profits. I just wish lawsuits would come out against alcohol for not warning people on their products till the later much later in the 20th century. Cigarettes had to put warnings. And alcohol still has TV commercials which also should be banned like cigarettes. Alcohol does more damage than any drug around. FU big alcohol. Take your DRUG and shove it where the sun don't shine.

[Bennyboy]

13. Pot is the OPPOSITE of a gateway drug..

I drink a lot less when I got some weed. Drink I do, but not nearly as much. I know many people that are in AA and still puff down (called the marijuana maintenace program).

I have accomplished getting three, almost four now, people off of opiates thru cannabis therapy..

And Screw the big brewers. You shouldn't be buying their crap anyway. Still to people that you know making your beers. They all support it (Cuz they all get stoned!)

[ladywnch]

14. Never thought about them (the alcohol mfgs/distribs) but it makes

sense the same way big pharma is so opposed to alternative/holitstic treatments.

[Irishonly]

15. If I understand the prop correctly

it also gives cities the option of rezoning for industrial hemp. All of these assholes outsourcing don't want it. I would love to have clothes, ropes, canvas etc made out of hemp. Some of the growers don't seem to be in favor of it and we know one hydro shop owner that really doesn't want it. He is afraid of losing business.