papers interplay of alcohol consumption, auto fatalities & medical marijuana laws

full name / name of organization: 
Physicians for Public Safety
contact email: 

Physicians for Public Safety
59 Morning Sun Avenue, # A
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.888.8289
Call for papers
Physicians for Public Safety is calling for papers, credible anecdotal data and other information on the interplay of medical marijuana laws, traffic fatalities, and alcohol consumption.
A November 2011 paper authored by D. Mark Anderson at Montana State University and Daniel Rees at the University of Colorado Denver* suggests that legalization of medical marijuana is associated with:
 dramatic decrease in high blood alcohol count fatal crashes per 100,000 drivers;
 overall decrease in alcohol consumption, especially among 20 to 30 year olds; and
 reduced beer sales. **
Research conducted since 1964 when biochemist Raphael Mechoulam, working at the Weitzmann Institute of Science, isolated the euphoria-inducing compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal, suggests that cannabis derivatives may combat multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease and other inflammatory conditions. An article in Science News (June 19, 2010), "Not Just a High," notes that testing of cannabis and its derivatives now includes type 1 diabetics, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, Toilette syndrome, epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Cannabis has been used to alleviate pain, promote sleep, combat nausea, and deal with mood disorders such as anxiety, stress and depression from a time whence the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. New evidence suggests that cannabis may even kill cancerous cells.
At least two state governors have formally asked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify marijuana so doctors can prescribe it and pharmacists can fill the prescription. The governors want the federal government to list marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug, allowing it to be used for medical treatment. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug, the same as heroin; hence, it is not accepted for medical treatment and cannot be prescribed, administered or dispensed. The American Medical Association has urged the federal government to reconsider its classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use.
Physicians for Public Safety is an information clearinghouse tasked with the responsibility of identifying and publishing evidence of reductions in alcohol-related automobile fatalities connected to legalization of cannabis. Medicinal cannabis is a sanctioned self-treatment for verifiable medical conditions in 16 U.S. states, Canada, the Netherlands and Israel, among other places. These states and countries share: 1) alcohol consumption, 2) traffic fatalities, and 3) legalized medical marijuana. Physicians for Public Safety seeks clinical trial studies, white papers and other substantiated anecdotal information from any jurisdiction or venue with these three shared conditions.
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*Medical Marijuana Law, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption: Discussion Paper 6112, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
**In 2010 the California Beer & Beverage Distributors gave $10,000 to Public Safety First, a committee organized to oppose California's marijuana initiative.