opinion

Pot potency is an argument for legalization

Opponents use the increased potency of pot as an argument against legalization. In fact, it's an argument in favor.

The potency of illegal marijuana obviously can't be regulated. That of legal pot could be.

If the potency of legal pot were limited, more potent black-market marijuana undoubtedly would still find a market.

But a large share of the consumption would also undoubtedly shift to the legal market. More convenient, less risk. Moreover, the 1970s-era marijuana had enough potency for a decent recreational high, for those so inclined. Or, so I've been told.

Now, that pot potency could theoretically be regulated if legal doesn't mean that it could be under the specific initiatives being circulated to make it legal in Arizona. Those initiatives require disclosure of potency, but whether that potency could be limited is unclear. An oversight agency is given general authority to regulate for health and safety, but whether that permits setting brakes on potency would probably be disputed.

Nevertheless, if the concern is that today's pot is too potent, the only possible way to do something about that would be to create a less potent legal alternative.

Reach Robb at robert.robb@arizonarepublic.com.