Episode 65 - The Vilification of Vaping. An exclusive interview with Ethan Nadelmann!
The next likely victim of drug war hysteria and prohibition: vaping. Ethan Nadelmann, founder of the Drug Policy Alliance, comes out of retirement to discuss.
Ethan Nadelmann, founder of the Drug Policy Alliance and one of the main players in the cannabis legalization struggle, has been quiet since retiring two years ago—attending conferences, pondering a book, advising those in need of his wisdom and political acuity. While DPA continues to wage the good fight, Ethan’s public presence has been sorely missed. He’s the smartest and fiercest advocate of sensible drug policy – in particular, harm reduction – and he has the unique ability to wage a fight with a smile on his face. His guiding principle has always been “socially libertarian:” adults should be allowed to put any substance into their body as long as it doesn’t harm anyone else.
I ran into Ethan at the recent Horizons Psychedelic Conference in NYC, and we were both itching to talk about the vilification of vaping – by politicians, state governments, the mainstream media (including the New York Times) and even public health advocates. The partially puritanical Michael Bloomberg, long an anti-tobacco crusader (good), recently donated $160 million to an anti-vaping crusade (mad). While we don’t completely know the long term effect of vaping nicotine or cannabis oils, the evidence indicates that vaping legal products is far safer, far more sane way of inhaling nicotine (or cannabis). Evidence also shows it beats patches and any other form of therapy aimed at helping people quit smoking cigarettes.
There’s another important caveat when examining the emerging Vape War -- it bears an uncomfortable resemblance to the War on Cannabis. Both
Were vilified by politicians, largely to “protect the children”
Had audacious claims about them with no scientific backing
Were funded by millionaires, some of which were once considered liberal leaning
Favor one class of people (wealthy) over another (poorer)
Were denigrated and banned in lieu of enacting more sensible and far less costly harm reduction and health policies.
Sound familiar? It should and Nadelmann breaks his public silence to discuss it here for you, the listeners of our podcast.