Let’s not ignore alcohol.
Based on extensive medical research, public health consensus considers alcohol to be significantly more dangerous and harmful to health than cannabis. This is true for both individuals and society as a whole. While the risk of impaired brain development in kids should surely be monitored for both cannabis and alcohol use, the risk of overdose and toxicity with alcohol far outweighs that of cannabis. Long-term chronic disease is far more prevalent with alcohol use. Alcohol induces extremely aggressive and dangerous behaviors while cannabis is associated with passive behavior. Annual Halloween events at UMass typically require 25-40 medical transports over three days, mostly driven by alcohol overdose and dynamic injuries from falls.
Regarding kids passing by dispensaries and being exposed to cannabis advertising, it is worth noting that in Northampton there are under 13 cannabis dispensaries. Comparatively, there are roughly 70 establishments authorized to sell alcohol, including package stores, groceries, bars, breweries, and restaurants that advertise and expose youths to alcohol. But alcohol is society’s accepted drug of choice and, as a result, it receives none of the scrutiny that cannabis does.
Let’s be fair.
Jack McElaney
Conway