Thor Benson / Cannabis News Box Contributor

The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) recently announced it supports a state’s right to legalize cannabis and that the federal government should not interfere with this right. This marks the first time an alcohol association has endorsed legalization of any kind.

The association recommended that cannabis be regulated like alcohol and pointed out that the industry will be profitable and overall beneficial to the economy. They also warned against letting monopolies form in the industry.

“Cannabis legalization is here to stay, not only in the states that have legalized but we believe that more states are going to move towards legalization,” Jeffrey L. Solsby, vice president of communications and membership at WSWA, told Cannabis News Box. “Our position is based on 85 years of effective state-based regulation and how that can apply to a newly legal product.”

Solsby said states should be allowed to decide for themselves if legalization is right for them, and he said Congress should protect that right. WSWA is talking to members of Congress to see how this kind of legislation can move forward. One reason it was a surprising development that an alcohol association would endorse legalization is that many see cannabis and alcohol as competitors, but Solsby wasn’t so sure.

“The data about whether or not it competes with alcohol is inconclusive,” he said. “Regardless of whether or not it competes with alcohol, cannabis is an intoxicant—like alcohol—and accordingly, both products should be regulated in similar fashion.”

Solsby explained that it’s better to regulate cannabis if people are going to use it rather than have it be sold in an unregulated market. He said this has worked well for alcohol and will work well for cannabis.

“The cannabis market will benefit from appropriate regulation just as the alcohol market has,” Solsby said. “Part of a well-regulated cannabis market would include a prohibition against vertical monopoly as with alcohol. Strict oversight and licensing would ensure traceability, tax collection, product integrity and market competition at all levels.”

With alcohol companies starting to invest in the cannabis industry and groups like WSWA endorsing legalization, it seems as if the two industries might finally be done battling each other. People like Solsby recognize that people are going to use cannabis, so it should be regulated and taxed. Let’s hope for a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between these industries.