Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 2017
Source: Kenora Daily Miner And News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Kenora Daily Miner and News
Contact: http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/letters
Website: http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/855
Author: Jay Fallis
Page: A5

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Regulated and legal marijuana limits capacity for criminal
organizations to profit

Whether or not you have smoked marijuana, you could probably identify
the scent of its smoke. You can smell it everywhere: parks, streets,
concert venues, and even on occasion, the lawns of Parliament Hill. It
has become an unauthorised part of life in Canada.

However, it seems that it's unauthorized status could soon be
changing. In the wake of a report issued by the Task Force on Cannabis
Legalization and Regulation this past November, the Liberal Government
recently tabled marijuana legislation in the House of Commons. So,
with the idea of legalization quickly gaining traction, I talked with
Conservative MP Bruce Stanton to get a better understanding of the
implications.

To start, Stanton suggested that he was a little wary of the current
approach to legalization. However, he said that there could be one
potential positive outcome from such legislation.

"If there is any positive I would say it would be a move that is at
least taking this distribution and sales of marijuana out of the hands
of [criminals] and putting it into a regulated scenario… In a
practical sense, this stuff is on the streets, it's out there, people
are buying it. But because it's illegal, it's all underground."
Stanton said.

By legalizing marijuana, not only can the government regulate the
product to ensure that it is safer for consumers, it also has the
capacity to limit profit diverted to criminal organizations. As
Stanton later suggested, this could help to limit more serious
criminal activity such as trafficking.

We also discussed the ethics of the government's capacity to collect
tax revenue from marijuana. Stanton said that he doesn't take a real
positive view of taxing recreational drugs. However, he did suggest
that if such revenue was to be collected, it would be preferable for
the federal government to spend it in a certain way.

"If we were able to raise some money off somewhat recreational but
less harmful types of [drug] abuse, let's put it into something that
will help people that do lose their way and become addicts; and find a
way to get them back out of that addiction into a better life ahead."
He said.

Stanton also talked about some of the particular ways that revenue
could be spent responsibly.

"Spending it on disseminating good information on the ill-effects of
[serious drugs], supporting the health system for those who get hooked
on drugs. We have a real shortage of spaces for people to go into drug
rehab." Stanton said.

By legalizing this drug, and managing revenue from it in a certain
way, our government could positively impact the lives of Canadians
suffering with addiction, and take meaningful steps toward combatting
the use of more serious drugs. However, upon enactment, legalization
will not be problem free. Stanton expressed several concerns over
determining adequate age restrictions and dealing with new border
security issues. He also warned of the challenges of monitoring
regulations around marijuana use and driving.

"There is also the issue of being high while driving… alcohol in the
bloodstream has a sort of quantitative and known impact level and [law
enforcement] can measure it. So there is a fairly easy way to come at
that. But that doesn't hold true for drugs… it is a much different
bridge to cross." Stanton said.

Drinking and driving is much easier to monitor than driving under the
influence of drugs. Stanton reasonably suggests that if this drug is
to be legalized, it is important that police be able to enforce the
laws that dictate the limits of its usage. There will no doubt, be an
urgent need to complete ongoing technology development to ensure that
driving under the influence of marijuana can be adequately monitored.

With legalization, will come complications. However, contrary to some,
I would argue that it is worth it. By permitting the consumption of
this commonly used, relatively harmless substance, we have the
capacity to better control its usage, to limit the power of criminal
organizations, and possibly even address more serious drug use. It
seems, that with legalization, we have little to lose and a lot to
gain.
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