Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2012
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2012 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Brian Hutchinson

STATES' BOLD MOVE ON LEGAL POT WORTH WATCHING

Approved by Voters in Colorado, Washington

So long, Vansterdam. Thanks to surprising initiatives taken south of 
the border, this city's dubious reputation as North America's 
marijuana capital is coming to an end. On Tuesday, voters in Colorado 
and Washington state embraced measures to allow any individual aged 
21 and up to possess marijuana, as much as one ounce. That's quite a 
lot, really; enough to make about 28 joints.

Unless the U.S. government intervenes, marijuana intended for 
recreational use will also be produced, packaged, and sold in retail 
stores, in both states.

Simple possession becomes legal in Washington on Dec. 6. The big 
details - licensing growers and processors, establishing retail 
networks and a taxation system - are to be sorted out within 12 
months. In Colorado, where a similar marijuana proposition easily 
passed on Tuesday, legalization could take effect before the new year.

No other jurisdictions in the world have gone this far, this quickly, 
with pot. There are reasons for that. Marijuana isn't exactly a 
benign substance, like milk. Consumption impairs cognitive function 
and development, and may help induce psychosis in susceptible youth. 
Heavy marijuana smoking can damage a person's respiratory system. 
There can be other deleterious effects.

But proponents insist that occasional, light use causes less harm to 
an average person's body and mind than alcohol. They also claim - 
although the jury remains out - that marijuana isn't addictive. The 
"high" it produces can be relaxing and pleasant, and can stimulate 
creativity. On the other hand, many people have experienced anxiety 
after smoking marijuana, and they avoid the stuff completely.

The drug's effects depend on the user, the amount of marijuana 
consumed, its quality and potency. Regulating and standardizing pot 
production can address these factors.

The best argument for legalization is that prohibition doesn't work. 
Making criminals of pot consumers has been costly to taxpayers and 
ruinous to families. A lucrative black market has benefited gangsters 
and almost no one else.

But as far as the U.S. government is concerned, the production, sale 
and possession of marijuana for recreational use is illegal. It's 
still not clear how federal authorities will react to Tuesday's 
results in Colorado and Washington.

Let's assume they do nothing, and special "pot shops" appear in major 
cities such as Seattle and Denver, dispensing all manner of cannabis 
products to adults. What might be the result? A frenzy of 
consumption, at least initially. And a backlash, perhaps.

Drug tourists would certainly arrive from other states and countries, 
including Canada. Public marijuana use, although officially 
prohibited, would naturally occur. So would more illicit pot sales to 
minors. Nuisance complaints would go up. Vancouverites have seen all 
that happen here; tolerance is stretched thin.

Tax revenues from legal pot distribution would be directed to public 
education campaigns and law enforcement initiatives, the same way 
that gambling-prevention programs are funded now. Impacts would be 
felt on college and university campuses in both states. Smoke-outs 
would become more commonplace. How many parents would encourage their 
children to attend post-secondary schools in jurisdictions where pot 
smoking is legal?

Would U.S. consumers be required to disclose their use to health 
insurers, and then see their premiums rise? What effect would pot 
smoking have on their health systems?

Potheads would likely become ostracized, just as tobacco smokers are 
now. There would be other consequences - good and bad. The truth is, 
no one knows what to expect.

In B.C., five former attorneys-general have called for marijuana 
legalization. So have some mayors. But they have also chosen to 
ignore or downplay potential health risks associated with pot. They 
haven't acknowledged every reasonably likely outcome.

But here's a great opportunity: Our neighbours are about to 
experience legal, recreational marijuana use. We should watch their 
bold social experiment unfold, and take lessons from it before doing 
anything else.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom