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Maybe they're not ignorant but the alcohol companies have a much stronger lobbying arm and more connections/acceptance with the audience of lawmakers who are th
by atlasunshrugged 6y ago
Maybe they're not ignorant but the alcohol companies have a much stronger lobbying arm and more connections/acceptance with the audience of lawmakers who are the key decision makers on this than cannabis smokers/companies do?
- edoceo 6y agoAnd taxes. Booze is a good revenue stream for the Gov. And in regulated US states. It's why both booze and weed got "essential" business status in those places. Where the weed industry is getting more lobbying, well, the effects on laws are clear (that is the lobbying is working to change laws to help (some) of the pot business.
- atlasunshrugged 6y agoYes exactly (although it's a little bit like stealing from yourself but I don't exactly understand how these budgets work - most countries spend quite a lot on treating alcoholics or the damage from lost productivity, accidents, etc. that erodes the tax base and probably lose money in the end)
- atlasunshrugged 6y agoAlso if you want good data on costs, effects, and lobbying efforts about the alcohol industry Movendi has good resources (a note- their bias is definitely towards higher taxes and strong laws limiting alcohol use so be aware) https://movendi.ngo/ https://movendi.ngo/
- DanBC 6y agoOne of the reasons alcohol sellers got essential business status is because suddenly stopping drinking alcohol can kill people who are dependent drinkers.
- joeblow9999 6y agono that is not why
- DanBC 6y agohttps://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/yes-liquor-stores-are-essential-businesses/ https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/yes-liquor... > In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to alcohol will likely become limited due to social-distancing measures mandated by government officials. Some of these necessary public health strategies—shelter-in-place and closing of non-essential businesses—may in turn cause people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) to find themselves in unsafe scenarios. Forward thinking about how to reduce harms to people with AUD is critical. Untreated AUD is often managed with daily alcohol use, necessary to stave off cravings and withdrawal.
- emsy 6y agoWhen I say ignorant I mean in legislation. Just now Germany's drug safety representative presented a new campaign to keep teenagers from smoking weed (roughly translated "toking is uncool"). I'm not aware that there's a similar campaign to keep kids away from alcohol (or adults for that matter). Although it's by far the most deadly drug.