-Caveat Lector- Copyright � 1999 Agence France-Press PERTH (September 30, 1999 10:44 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - Australians are turning away from beer, wine and other types of alcohol and now spend an estimated $3.25 billion a year on marijuana, according to a University of Western Australia study. "Marijuana is now playing the role that alcohol used to play," said Professor Kenneth Clements from the university's Economic Research Center. "The growth in marijuana consumption offsets the fall in the consumption of alcohol, so they're substitutes." Expenditure on marijuana is already equal to that of wine and spirits, and is about three-quarters of beer expenditure, according to The Economics of Marijuana Consumption report. It amounts to 1 percent of Australia's Gross Domestic Product, the equivalent of $351 per capita. Despite the illicit nature of the drug and the lack of data, Clements said he was as "confident as he could be" with the research results. "In economic terms, marijuana is an important, yet little understood and controversial commodity," the report said. "This commodity, which has been used by about one-third of the population, generates no tax revenue." 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
