Pubdate: Wed, 14 Aug 2013
Source: Parry Sound North Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/community/parrysound
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1618
Author: Hugh Holland
Note: Hugh Holland is a mechanical engineer and a retired 
auto-industry manufacturing executive. He retired to Huntsville in 
1995 and is a member of the Rotary club.

MARIJUANA - SHOULD IT BE LEGALIZED?

Marijuana is the most common illicit drug used in Canada and the 
United States today. Why do people use it? It dulls the senses and 
gives them a high. Some say marijuana is no more harmful or addictive 
than alcohol and tobacco, and the laws around possession and use 
should be relaxed.

But the Canadian Public Health Association reports that, "Marijuana 
use can have a long list of negative health impacts including 
forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, slower reactions (making it 
unsafe to drive or to operate machinery). Heavy use at a young age 
can affect brain development leading to long-term problems with 
concentration, learning, abstract thinking, and short-term memory. 
Marijuana smoke contains more carcinogenic tar than tobacco smoke. 
Long-term use can result in respiratory ailments, throat and lung 
cancer, anxiety, depression, paranoia and schizophrenia. Women who 
use marijuana during pregnancy are more likely to have premature or 
underweight babies. Alcohol stays in the body for a few hours, but 
cannabis can stay for up to 4 weeks."

The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse reports all the above 
health effects and adds that, "Research clearly demonstrates that the 
mind-altering chemical has the potential to cause problems in daily 
life or to make a person's existing problems worse. In fact heavy 
marijuana users generally report lower life satisfaction, poorer 
mental and physical health, relationship problems, and less academic 
and career success than their peers from similar backgrounds." They 
add that, "Marijuana increases the heart rate and risk of heart 
attack." The marijuana addiction rate is nine per cent compared to 15 
per cent for alcohol, but 17 per cent among those who start young, 
and up to 50 per cent among frequent users.

In addition to the health effects, Stats-Canada reports that, "Many 
crimes are committed by those under the influence of drugs and 
alcohol. Crime is often committed to obtain money to purchase drugs. 
Production of cannabis is eight times higher than 30 years ago and is 
often associated with violent crime. Drug use for 12 to 17 year-olds 
has doubled in 10 years, but they are not formally charged due to the 
young offenders act. The drug use rate in BC is twice the rate in the 
other nine provinces."

On a recent trip to BC, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau launched his 
campaign to legalize possession; not because he thinks marijuana use 
is a good thing, but because of "the futility of the war on drugs." 
But we have not won the war against many things that are bad for 
society. Is giving up the right answer to any problem? The NDP 
advocates decriminalization. The Conservatives advocate a consistent 
approach to all potentially harmful drugs.

What can we learn from other countries? The Dutch did not legalize; 
they kept their anti-drug laws on the books while limiting 
enforcement for simple possession of small amounts of cannabis with 
potency below a certain limit. They relaxed the smoking laws in 
owner-operated pot cafes, which led to an unpopular influx of drug 
tourism. In February 2013, they resumed the total ban on smoking in 
public places. They claim some reduction in use, but the supply side 
remains an illicit activity.

Portugal decriminalized possession and use of all drugs. Instead of 
jail time, offenders are offered the choice between therapy or fines 
and community service. Their theory is that treatment is less 
expensive and more effective than incarceration. Smoking is allowed 
in enclosed eating and drinking establishments in which the under-18 
are not allowed. They claim that after five years, drug use rates 
have fallen below the US and other European countries. Has this been verified?

Health Canada took the step in 2001 to allow medical use of marijuana 
for reduction of pain and nausea for certain defined conditions, so 
that is not an issue here. But like all drugs, it still has side effects.

Passing the law is the easy part. What are some of the practical 
considerations? Canada is 100 times bigger than either Portugal or 
the Netherlands. That presents a much bigger challenge in terms of 
creating and managing a system for legal production, distribution and 
sales. The black market would continue to thrive in areas where 
outlets are not convenient. Would we want to integrate pot sales into 
the 1,600 government operated liquor stores across the country, or 
into the 16,000 private gas-stations and convenience stores, or 
create pot cafes in each of our 5,600 municipalities? Every town and 
province will have an opinion on those questions. How many new 
bureaucrats and inspectors would be required to administer the 
system? What qualifications will be required for those jobs? Which 
level of government would get the tax revenue? Will the costs and 
risks truly be offset by cost reductions in health care, policing and 
incarceration?

Would decriminalization or legalization be any more successful than 
the war on tobacco? Despite restricted access and negative ads, 
tobacco continues to addict and kill every day. Would the drug 
dealers just apply for a $15 job at the local pot store, or would 
they move to another more lucrative illegal activity?

The rate of criminal charges for simple possession is relatively low, 
and young offenders are not charged. There is a limit to how much 
rule-making governments can do. Let's have it spend its time and our 
money on issues that will do the greatest good for the most people. 
On that basis, it seems to me that revising pot laws should rank well 
below job creation, balancing the budget, creating a sustainable 
model for health care, energy supply, transportation infrastructure, 
national defence, advancing First Nations, and Senate reform.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom