[Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/opioid-drugs-38-what-role-pharmaceutica... ]
Thanks, Kevin, for bringing this point up in the discussion. Although it's not specifically related to opioids, it relates to the influence powerful corporations can exert on the consumption of addictive substances and the harm they cause to society without taking responsibility.
I've always suspected that the tobacco industry might be, in some way, behind promoting cannabis use and the regulations that allow it. You're now confirming it.
It makes perfect sense: if there's dual use, it's harder to quit smoking. If marijuana is legalized, then this disrupts tobacco endgame policies. I think it's a very strategic move.
I share your concerns, and remember that my country legalized the production and sale of recreational marijuana in 2013. I'm convinced “someone” from outside used us as "guinea pigs" to influence other countries.
Actions (like the annual cannabis fair) that reduce the perception of risk and encourage consumption, among other things, are accepted. They brought "experts" to Uruguay on the medicinal use of cannabis, but if you examined the evidence supporting that "expertise," it was very poor or not based on strong science.
I want to clarify that I think a regulatory reform on cannabis was necessary, that the public health aspect should have been considered and prioritized, without neglecting security issues, but what was done hasn't solved the drug trafficking problem, and consumption tends to increase.
Perhaps we should consider a specific forum on cannabis/marijuana in the future.
Kind regards,
Eduardo
Eduardo Bianco, MD, MSc, BIR
ATHP Director
Addiction Training for Health Professionals
Email: ebianco@nextgenu.org
HIFA profile: Eduardo Bianco is a medical doctor and Cardiologist, Certified Tobacco Cessation Expert with a Master's in Prevention and Treatment of Addictive Disorders. Bianco also has a degree in International Relations. Currently, he is Director of International Policy Education in Addictions of the Frank Foundation for International Health and Member of the Interim Policy Committee of the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control (GATC). He had a prominent role in promoting smoking cessation, tobacco control, WHO-FCTC implementation and NCD control in his country (Uruguay) as well as in Latin America for over 25 years. Bianco participated directly in most of the development process of the WHO-Framework Convention on Tobacco control and in the Sessions of the Conference of the Parties to this treaty. He was Director or Tobacco Control Program of InterAmerican Heart Foundation, Regional Coordinator for the Americas of the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), Chair of the Tobacco Expert Group of the World Heart Federation and Technical Director of the MOH Center for International Cooperation for Tobacco as well as Founder and Former President of the Tobacco Epidemic Research Center (CIET) in Uruguay. Eduardo helps coordinate the HIFA working group on substance use disorders. https://www.hifa.org/support/members/eduardo