-Caveat Lector- If this also applies to the U.S., and I assume it does, we begin to see some of the other factors behind the "war on drugs"...and why the attack on "binge drinking" on American campuses is a completely cynical publicity ploy... "Researchers at the University of Western Australia's Economic Research Center have found that Australians spend almost as much on illegal cannabis as they do on their beloved beer and twice as much as they do on wine." ======================================================= Who Spends More On Pot Than Wine? PERTH (Reuters) - Australia's reputation as a nation of big drinkers is going up in smoke with research released this week showing vast untaxed expenditure on marijuana. Researchers at the University of Western Australia's Economic Research Center have found that Australians spend almost as much on illegal cannabis as they do on their beloved beer and twice as much as they do on wine. ``Expenditure on marijuana in 1995 was a little over A$5 billion (US$3.25 billion) or A$351 per capita,'' said researchers Professor Ken Clements and Mert Daryal in a paper entitled ``The Economics of Marijuana Consumption.'' The estimated pot expenditure was equivalent to one percent of Australia's 1995 gross domestic product, far higher than was previously estimated. It represented double the expenditure on wine and three-quarters of the money spent on beer. Clements and Daryal also found direct link between pot consumption and drinking habits. Experience in other countries had suggested liberalisation of marijuana laws results in a fall in alcohol consumption. ``Alcohol and marijuana seem to be substitutes, with cross-price elasticities,'' they said. ``In most cases, (liberalized) legislation lowers drinking. Spirits consumption falls the most, then wine and then beer,'' they said. The researchers said they hoped to gain a better understanding of the economics of a drug which they estimate ''is used by something like one-third of the entire adult population'' but which ``generates no tax revenue.'' Their paper also included a survey of University of Western Australia first year students which found that about 50 percent had used marijuana. Not surprisingly, the report found that legalizing marijuana would ``increase consumption by about 13 percent ... and alcohol consumption would fall.'' Clements and Daryal said that ``in view of the large number of people who have used marijuana'' and that expenditure is twice that on wine ``it is surprising that more is not known about these intriguing matters.'' Most of the marijuana consumed in Australia is grown in remote tracts of the island continent. (A$1 - US$0.65) ======================= Robert F. Tatman Computer Help Desk Desktop & LAN Services Systems Department Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 215.854.2729 215.854.2788 The contents of this message represent the opinion only of the writer, and may not be construed to indicate the endorsement of Knight-Ridder, Inc.; Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.; The Philadelphia Inquirer; or the Philadelphia Daily News. "Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity." DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
