A new book, Marijuana is Safer: So Why are We Driving People to Drink? is dedicated to examining the relative harms and the illogical legal status of the two most popular recreational substances in the world -- marijuana and alcohol. Through an objective examination of the two drugs and the laws and social practices that steer people toward alcohol, the book poses a simple yet rarely considered question: Why do we punish adults who make the rational, safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol?

Co-authors of the book are nationally recognized marijuana policy experts Steve Fox, Director of State Campaigns for the Marijuana Policy Project; Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML; and Mason Tvert, executive director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER). Norm Stamper of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition provides the Forward.

Marijuana is Safer provides an introduction to the plant and its effect on the user, and reveals the truth behind some of the government’s most frequently cited marijuana myths. Additionally, the book explains why the “marijuana is safer than alcohol” message must be a prominent part of the public debate over legalization.

For the millions of Americans who want to help advance the cause of marijuana policy reform -- or simply want to defend their own personal “safer” choice -- the book supplies the talking points and detailed information needed to make persuasive arguments to friends, family, co-workers, and elected officials. Written in a reader-friendly style, but loaded with facts and insightful analysis about the “war on marijuana” and the drive to end it.

The book's publication date is listed as September 15, 2009, but it has already gone on sale, and as of midnight, August 20, is already #14 of the Amazon Bestseller list.