Pubdate: Fri, 31 Mar 2017
Source: Amherst News (CN NS)
Copyright: TC Media 2017
Contact:  http://www.cumberlandnewsnow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3379
Page: 8

EASING THEIR PAIN

It was a bold statement. "We will legalize, regulate and restrict
access to marijuana." The 2015 federal Liberal election promise caught
the attention of Canadians and attracted votes of many who supported
the long-overdue legalization of marijuana.

Many citizens believe that smoking a joint is no worse than having a
beer. Many Canadians - even prime ministers - have tried it. Polls
indicate a majority favours legalization. Medical marijuana use has
smoothed the drug's acceptance and eased concerns.

What's the big deal? The government is finally ready to table
legislation to legalize marijuana by July 1, 2018 - much too late for
many Canadians. Do we really have to wait another 18 months for
proclamation, when 60,000 Canadians are convicted each year for simple
possession or personal use?

Liberal delays are perplexing. A task force brought in 80
recommendations last December. A former Toronto police chief is
guiding the legislation. It's time for the government to get its act
together and provide clarity for municipalities, police forces and
provinces.

Pro-marijuana advocates are right - the Liberals don't deserve all the
credit. Marijuana became an election promise because the public
demanded it. The Liberals didn't fight campaigns for decades, march
and protest, face arrest, and suffer ridicule or worse, to win this
fight.

The government made equally bold promises on electoral reform and then
backed down. The list of other broken promises is extensive - failures
to deliver on tax cuts for the middle class and small businesses,
modest deficits, balanced budgets and home mail delivery.

It's refreshing to see the federal government proceed on at least one
key promise. And it's surprising that Ottawa is taking a stand on what
is among its most controversial, and potentially problematic, campaign
promise.

The federal government will take all the credit - but dump most of the
problems onto the provinces. Ottawa will control the broad strokes of
securing the marijuana supply and licensing producers while the
provinces will control the price and how it is bought and sold. All
done, of course, with the appropriate federal and provincial excise
taxes applied.

The rationale for the Liberal promise made sense - current laws trap
too many Canadians in the criminal justice system for minor,
non-violent offenses. The government wants to keep marijuana out of
the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals.
There will be stronger laws to punish those who operate a motor
vehicle while under its influence.

Perhaps Ottawa should signal that police forces ease their judicial
zeal in laying charges for simple marijuana possession and use, while
legislation makes its way through Parliament?

As for Canadians who want to grow their own - each household will be
allowed four plants - they likely won't need a horticultural refresher
course to become successful home gardeners.

And for those politicians incurring headaches and anxiety as they
struggle with legislation - their pain can be eased with a few joints
- - of medical marijuana, of course.
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MAP posted-by: Matt