Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jan 2013
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: David M. Kennedy

NEW APPROACH IS NECESSARY

Re: Cannabis and the need for policy reform. I have enclosed an 
editorial from a national newspaper which outlines the case for legal 
regulation, taxation, and management under a public health model for 
cannabis. I also note that Minister Aglukkaq is bringing in 
legislation to tighten up on the production facilities for medical marijuana.

This seems a very good step forward. It will be important to utilize 
the knowledge of those already producing for the medical market. A 
frequent complaint is that the government-produced product is not the 
strength needed for proper control, and the user then goes elsewhere 
to the illegal supplier.

It will also be important to have market-based pricing that competes 
favourably with the black market or else there will be a tendency for 
users to go there.

Because management under a public health model offers a much greater 
prospect for success in the long term in reducing the recreational 
and addictive use of cannabis I would urge our MP to support new 
policy in this area.

Recent polls have repeatedly shown the majority of the public are 
firmly behind such change. You will have noticed that both Washington 
State and Colorado have voted to introduce the kind of plan I have 
mentioned, and President Obama has used language that indicates a 
shift is coming federally as well.

The Federation of BC Municipalities has voted in favour of change, 
and their motion is now going forward to the Federation of Canadian 
Municipalities.

In the Guardian News Dec. 14, 2012 Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg 
said, "If you were waging any other war where you have 2,000 
fatalities a year (U.K.), your enemies are making billions in 
profits, constantly throwing new weapons at you, and targeting young 
people - you'd have to say you are losing, and it is time to do 
something different. It is important now ( for leaders) to pluck up 
the courage to speak."

As our elected representative Mr. Mayes, please act on the evidence 
before you and move your government in the direction of common sense 
and evidence-based legislation - you have a majority of the 
population behind you, and it is time to end the violence associated 
with gang-controlled management of cannabis.

David M. Kennedy, MD (retired)

Vernon
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom