Some assertions in Linell Grundman’s letter should be corrected (“Facts suggest towns should opt out of pot,” May 6).

I would assume someone concerned about substance abuse would be concerned about substances that are most widely abused. That would be alcohol and tobacco, which have significant public health, treatment and financial cost implications. Perhaps opting out of allowing liquor stores should be on the table, although I think we all know that would not solve the problem, and it would certainly make it inconvenient to get my bottles of pinot noir.

If criminal justice costs are a concern, then marijuana legalization should have helped diminish them. If the concern relates to harder drugs such as opioid abuse, then we can all feel better knowing that recent studies indicate that marijuana availability actually reduces opioid use.

So go ahead and opt in for legal, regulated and taxed pot shops with a clear conscience.

Jack Anderson