Pubdate: Wed, 20 Apr 2016
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2016 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n257/a06.html
Author: Patricia G. Erickson
Page: A10

AFTER POT'S LEGAL

Re Caution In Pot Adoption Urged At Summit (April 18): Our published 
research, carried out in four Canadian provinces with adult, socially 
integrated, regular marijuana users, indicates that informal social 
controls are already widespread among users.

We found that users were careful to smoke marijuana at times and 
places that did not interfere with other important activities, such 
as work and school.

Much like most cigarette smokers, they also did not use in situations 
that might offend others. In other words, social norms about 
appropriate use, along with an awareness of health and safety issues, 
are already in place.

This is not surprising, since marijuana has been increasingly a part 
of recreational activities for five decades. While trends in the 
post-prohibition era will need to be monitored carefully, it is 
doubtful that large-scale advertising campaigns will be needed to 
instruct users in responsible use. They already know.

Patricia G. Erickson, professor of sociology and criminology, 
University of Toronto
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom