Public Health Experts Make I-502 Suggestions to WA Liquor Control Board

A group composed of substance abuse, law and public health experts have sent a 16-page letter to Washington’s Liquor Control Board, making recommendations for the implementation of I-502. Included in the group is Alison Holcomb, Drug Policy Director for the ACLU and campaign manager of I-502.

The letter makes the point that I-502’s implementation should focus on public health, and describes many ways to help introduce legal marijuana without causing any public health problems. Of course, those of us with marijuana experience understand these concerns to be out of proportion, but we still must accept that many people are very nervous about marijuana, having had the “Reefer Madness” misinformation beaten into their heads all their lives. This mentality should be drastically reduced once Colorado and Washington successfully implement regulations for legalized marijuana.

The letter to the Liquor Control Board outlines several concerns and solutions, such as limiting the quantity of marijuana any one producer can produce, advertising restrictions similar to alcohol and tobacco, evaluating the impact of legalizing marijuana and preventing use by minors.

One of the more laughable (to me, at least) recommendations suggested is increasing accessibility of treatment options for marijuana addicts. Reading that made me want to watch Half-Baked: “You in here for some marijuana?!?” And I’m sure we all remember what Bob Saget said after that.

To the authors’ credit, though, the big emphasis is on educating the public with scientifically-sound data regarding marijuana. The letter suggests rules for each step of the marijuana retail process, including advertising, tracking and reporting. It also suggests specific rules for  producers, processors and retailers. Read the full letter below, if you like, and try not to fall asleep. Nothing puts me to sleep faster than smoking a bowl and reading through a bunch of lawyer-talk.

2013-05-10 – I-502 Rule-Making Comments – Prevention Treatment and Public Health Considerations by Jake Ellison