Pubdate: Thu, 23 Apr 2015
Source: Caledon Enterprise, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 The Caledon Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.caledonenterprise.com/caledon-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4318
Author: Danielle Marr

IS IT TIME WE LEGALIZED POT?

Colorado is raking in the taxes from its recreational marijuana
industry, meanwhile Canada spends millions criminalizing it

The Canadian government's marijuana rules make me dizzy.

Take last week in Caledon, for instance. On Wednesday, it emerged that
we are about to get our first regulated medical marijuana clinic. The
next day, Caledon OPP sent out a press release announcing it had
arrested and charged a 17-year-old with possession for the purpose of
trafficking of a schedule II substance =C2=85 that's pot, for anyone who
doesn't speak cop.

Something about this doesn't sit right with me. Now, don't get me
wrong. I am not, in general, a supporter of the idea of dealing
illegal drugs and the police are clearly just doing their job of
upholding the law. But are those laws sensible?

Under the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substance Act, trafficking in
this leafy green can lead to life in prison. Production can land you
seven years. Possession, five.

Can someone logically explain to me how a teenager selling marijuana
should potentially be subject to the same punishment as a person who
takes another's life? All while a doctor is legally able to prescribe
a similar substance to patients from a clinic down the road?

As of January 2014, there were almost 40,000 Canadian residents
legally allowed to possess marijuana for medical purposes, usually for
ailments such as chronic pain, nausea or anxiety. When managed
properly, it can help.

Marijuana is the second most used substance next to alcohol in Canada
for recreational purposes and, according to the Canadian Centre on
Substance Abuse, there is consistent evidence that rates of marijuana
use are not strongly influenced by legal and regulatory policy.
Meaning that whether it's legal or not, there are just as many people
taking part.

But with the current laws in place, in Canada up to a billion dollars
is being spent each year on the war on drugs, two thirds of which is
for cannabis-related charges, primarily for possession.

These people are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and even police officers
(dare I bring up the two city workers in Hamilton who were fired for
bringing special brownies to a Christmas party last year?).

The CCSA also says that when it comes to the total cost of substance
abuse, legal ones (tobacco and alcohol) make up 80 per cent of the
dent in taxpayers' pockets.

Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational marijuana and many
more have decriminalized it, meaning that "offenders" receive a ticket
instead of being slapped with criminal charges.

According to Colorado's Department of Revenue, after legalizing
recreational marijuana the state had netted $40 million in extra tax
revenue in 10 months.

I don't agree that the kid who is selling pot out of his parents'
basement should be doing so. But what I don't understand is why our
government refuses to accept the fact that millions of dollars spent
on recreational marijuana illegally each year could be taxed and
purchased just like a six-pack of Corona.

It would save millions on policing and the money raised could go to
substance abuse programs. If we changed the law, that 17-year-old
could make a decent salary selling it legally when he grows up instead
of being stuck in a dead-end job thanks to his criminal record.
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MAP posted-by: Matt