POT SMOKING KEEPS DRUNKS OFF THE ROAD

Re: "Vancouver out of line on pot, B.C. solicitor general warns," Sept 9.

Solicitor General Rich Coleman finds it ironic that "the city of
Vancouver won't allow spirits, or hard liquor in cold beer and wine
stores and yet is willing to turn a blind eye to the open sale of
marijuana from stores."

The irony is that Coleman opposes cannabis stores, in part, because of
"people driving into a neighbourhood, buying marijuana, smoking it and
driving away in their cars," (as though the same smokers do not
partake when visiting less visible suppliers), yet he seems willing to
turn a blind eye to licensed restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Several studies have confirmed that cannabis and alcohol are economic
substitutes with cross-price elasticities, like butter and margarine.
When cannabis use goes up, alcohol and other "hard" drug use goes
down, resulting in a net decrease in traffic accidents, addiction,
disease, violence, crime, overdose deaths and medical
emergencies.

Matthew M. Elrod

Victoria.