Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2016
Source: Campbell River Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Campbell River Mirror
Contact:  http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1380

STEADY IS BEST FOR POT PLAN

The question of what to do with drunk drivers has evolved over the
past few decades. A generation ago, heading home a little tipsy was
seen as normal, but the steady toll of carnage on the roads changed
minds.

With legal marijuana on the horizon, sometime in the next few years,
it's good to hear that the federal government is taking the prospect
of stoned drivers seriously.

The RCMP is currently testing three different roadside detection
devices for marijuana use.

MP Bill Blair, a former Toronto police chief leading the planning
process for legalization, mentioned a simple saliva test as one of the
most promising options.

Legalizing marijuana is a good idea on the whole. Right now, most
marijuana cultivation and sale is in the hands of criminals, many of
them violent.

The violence spreads beyond just turf wars between rival
gangs.

Stolen pot is sold on the black market.

It might be worth the criminal consequences if marijuana was highly
addictive and killing its users, but it's not. Good for you? Perhaps
not.

But neither are alcohol, cigarettes, or trans fats, and we believe
regulation is better than prohibition there.

It is good to see that the government is already looking at multiple
sides of the legalization process, which won't be simple or too quick.

 From technological fixes like road-side testing, to dealing with
permits, taxation, sales, and the whole regulatory apparatus around
pot, it seems that so far, the federal government is taking things
seriously.

It's legislation worth passing, but it's not worth doing if it's done
badly.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D