Marijuana may finally sink booze

Dear editor:

Now that marijuana use has been legalized, Canada is embarking on a nationwide experiment that will undoubtedly change our whole society.

Over five to 10 years we will find out what effects, both bad and good, will come from the increased use of the various cannabinoids and THC that make up the drug family derived from the marijuana plant.

And what will be the effects when cannabis is coupled with alcohol or drugs, as it undoubtedly will be?

Aside from the effects on the user's mental functions, how will cannabis change society? My guess is that it will displace quite a percentage of cigarette smoking.

But is it less likely to induce lung and other cancers over the years? Will it lead to lung or other damage? Will “grass” displace a "friendly drink" as a way to turn a blind eye to the woes that the world inflicts on us; and significantly cut down on worldwide alcohol use? Wouldn't it be great if our horrific incidence of alcoholinduced illnesses, both physical and mental, went down? And if marijuana products themselves proved significantly less harmful to mind and body than alcohol?

It would be wonderful if our liquor stores started to close down, and drunken rages were replaced by bleary-eyed giggles.

William Bradley Houston Penticton