ABSTRACT
Empirical evidence and theory from the study of public health policies regarding alcohol are highly relevant to North American jurisdictions that have recently legalized cannabis or are considering doing so. Decades of research teach us that public health and safety outcomes improve when alcohol is less affordable, less available and less marketed. Specific applications of these principles have also been identified which optimize public health outcomes, e.g. imposing a minimum price per standard drink and restricting the density of privately owned liquor stores. Government monopolies on the sale and/or distribution of alcohol have shown to be effective mechanisms for applying these policy levers for public health aims.
Recent research on cannabis legalization in the US indicates increased cannabis use, as well as similarities with alcohol markets, e.g. increases in density of sales outlets are associated with higher population consumption. As cannabis legalization likely results in decreased use of alcohol, a more hazardous substance, it may also lead to improved health and safety outcomes. This chapter will explore a range of other learnings that are likely relevant such as product labelling, pricing by alcohol/THC content and availability restrictions. In future, alcohol and cannabis will need to be regulated coherently, in accordance with their risk/benefit profiles and ideally by a single authority.
