Pubdate: Fri, 22 Apr 2016
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Gillian Slade
Page: B6

POT'S REVENUE STREAM LIKELY THE MAIN REASON FOR LEGALIZATION

Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will
legalize the use of marijuana, the dangers of the drug have seemingly
disappeared.

It is worth being reminded of some of them. Marijuana contains a
mind-altering chemical that can have long-term effects including
hampering the development of the brain and its function, according to
the website of the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Young people are
particularly vulnerable in terms of impaired memory and ability to
learn. The damage can be permanent. There are also the potential risks
of mental illness including hallucinations, paranoia, depression,
anxiety and thoughts of suicide. There is, of course, the risk of
addiction too.

With this in mind it makes federal Health Minister Jane Philpott's
announcement Wednesday, on the plans for introducing legislation to
legalize marijuana use next spring, particularly interesting.

It is about taking "profits out of the hands of criminals," said
Philpott. It is a way to protect youth and enhance public safety, she
continued.

It is about protecting our kids and not allowing criminals to profit,
said Trudeau on Wednesday.

Not allowing criminals to profit was key in these statement with no
mention of addiction and negative health consequences. It is
reasonable, then, to conclude that the government would like to profit
from the sale of marijuana rather than having criminals do so.

A good source of revenue, or user fee, it may be but then we need to
ask who is profiteering from other illicit drugs? Criminals are
profiteering from cocaine and fentanyl and many more. The government
is obviously missing out on that revenue stream too.

As part of the government's plan to legalize marijuana we are told
Health Canada is developing new regulations.

Talk to people who are struggling with debilitating chronic pain and
they will tell you of the problems they have being allowed to take a
narcotic on a long-term basis. There are strict protocols in place to
monitor physicians and what narcotics they prescribe, to whom and for
how long. We are told this is all in the interests of the patient
because narcotics can be addictive and have health consequences.
Physicians are between a rock and a hard place, acknowledging their
patient's pain and finding a prescription that will allow them to keep
functioning in life.

Now all of a sudden marijuana will be absolutely fine to use. Or will
it?

Perhaps the federal government will put strict protocols in place for
marijuana too. The big difference is along the way there will be a
stream of revenue for government and that may be the only agenda.
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MAP posted-by: Matt