Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jan 2013
Source: Weal, The (SAIT Polytechnic, CN AB Edu)
Copyright: 2013 SAIT Student Association
Contact:  http://www.theweal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5224
Author: Sarah Pynoo

IS LEGALIZING MARIJUANA THE RIGHT MOVE?

Leaders from Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, and other countries in 
Central and South America are pushing for the United States to switch 
from their current prohibitionist model of marijuana legislation. 
They're hoping for decriminalization, or even legalization, following 
Washington and Colorado's decisions on Nov. 6 to legalize the drug in 
their respective states.

They suggest the move would greatly ease drug trafficking in their 
countries. The bills passed in Washington and Colorado make it so 
that marijuana can be regulated (much like alcohol), opening the door 
to a number of economic benefits in the states. It's too early to 
tell, but it's a decision that's looking to have a promising 
outcome-and a move that Canadians should follow.

According to a poll conducted by Forum Research in November 2012, 66 
per cent of Canadians favour legalization or decriminalization. The 
Green Party, Liberal Party, and Libertarian Party of Canada all 
favour legalization, while the New Democratic Party supports 
decriminalization. The ruling Conservative Party, however, has moved 
towards increasing mandatory minimum sentences for growing, 
trafficking, and possessing marijuana-a move that only 15 per cent of 
Canadians support.

In a YouTube interview uploaded on Mar. 16, 2010, Prime Minister 
Stephen Harper spoke about why he wants tougher laws for marijuana 
possession. "When people buy from the drug trade, they are buying 
from international cartels that are involved in unimaginable 
violence...Drugs are illegal because they are bad." Unfortunately for 
Harper, a morality based argument holds much less ground when leaders 
in Central America say that legalization would actually prevent 
cartels from holding as much power as they currently do. As for the 
"drugs are bad" argument, it's simplistic. The same argument was used 
by the temperance movement Dominion Alliance for the Total 
Suppression of the Liquor Traffic for the prohibition of alcohol in 
the 1930s, and we all know how well that worked out.

Using morality to dictate policy is a ridiculous move, especially 
when it goes against what constituents want. People are going to use 
marijuana recreationally regardless of whether or not it's legal. By 
following in the footsteps of Washington and Colorado, tax dollars, 
the lives of those affected by cartels, and thousands of hours put in 
by law enforcement can be saved.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom