Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 2017
Source: Record, The (CN QU)
Copyright: 2017 The Sherbrooke Record
Contact:  http://www.sherbrookerecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3194
Author: Mike McDevitt
Page: 6

SMOKE AND MIRRORS

When young Justin Trudeau announced during has election campaign that
a Liberal government would legalize the personal possession of
marijuana for recreational purposes, the overall political impact
could best be described as a collective response somewhere between
indifference to "it's about time." For most, the issue of marijuana
legalization was pretty low on totem pole of concerns, given more
pressing issues. At most, the proposal helped solidify young Justin's
reputation as a hip, modern alternative to the depressing crankiness
of his predecessor.

When the proposed 'legalization' legislation was introduced last week,
however, its imprecision and division of responsibility seems to have
stimulated more questions than it has answered and is bound to lead to
an unexpected politicization of what should have been a simple operation.

The proposed legislation removes the simple possession of marijuana
from the criminal code, and allows for legal possession by adults of
'personal' amounts of the substance. The federal government will
license producers and retailers and will commit to monitoring quality
and potency. It provides for a minimum legal age of 18 years and
limits individual cultivation to a maximum of four plants per
household. Other details - such as pricing and taxation - remain to be
worked out, but consumers should recognize a rough imitation of the
rules surrounding alcohol as these become finalized.

Also like alcohol, however, responsibility for establishing and
supervising distribution is going to be largely the responsibility of
provinces and territories, and like alcohol, the possible permutations
within the federal law are endless and open to creativity.

In addition, the social context has changed considerably since
marijuana first came under general public scrutiny and though many
people are no longer averse to recreational cannabis use, attitudes to
ads smoking, in particular, have changed immensely. When the Le Dain
Commission published its recommendations in the early 1970s, tobacco
consumption was widespread, and generally tolerated. One could smoke
is restaurants, on buses, in theatres, and even in some university
classrooms. This, of course, is no longer the case and the war against
smoking has been effective, extensive, and unforgiving. Outside
consumption is not only banned n public buildings, but has now also
been driven form exterior locations like parks, playgrounds, sporting
events, and bar and restaurant terraces. There is no indication that
the rancid, potent smell of the newly-legalized cannabis plant will
run counter to that trend. For consumers, this could cause some
inconvenience.

As it stands, the public consumption of marijuana will be seriously
constrained, with only private, stand-alone properties safe from
interference, as landlord associations are already lobbying for the
right to ban pot smoking on their properties, as many have already
done with regard to tobacco. Not only are landlords concerned about
the potential annoyance to other renters of clouds of the stuff, but
they have also expressed concern over the impact of small four-plant
'grow-ops' on the physical condition of their properties. In large
urban areas, this is a major concern for those welcoming the new realty.

Landlords are not alone in expressing concerns about the new
legislation and the 'public health' approach Peter Black spoke of in
Tuesday's Record, Notably; those working in the field of mental health
are increasingly expressing concern about the impact of cannabis
consumption among the young, particularly those at the end of
adolescence and in early adulthood. Research has suggested that brain
formation is not complete until the early twenties and that
interference by some chemicals at this stage can interfere with
development. Links have also been drawn between pt use among the young
and schizophrenia, among other things. Much further study is needed,
of course, but so far research has suggested that a later legal age of
21 or even 25 might be more appropriate. We can expect this to become
the subject of some heated debate as the legalization process moves
along and, with each province establishing its own limits and systems,
interprovincial complications can easily be ima! gined as the various
jurisdictions establish their own, perhaps competitive rules.

Police departments have also been quite vocal in expressing their own
concerns about legalization and enforcement, particularly with regard
to impairment and motor vehicles. Unlike alcohol, there are no
commonly accepted standards by which impairment from, as opposed to
exposure to, cannabis can be scientifically ascertained, and also
unlike alcohol, cannabis residue can remain in one's system long after
one has consumed In addition, each strain of cannabis has its own
characteristics that can affect individuals in wildly different ways.

In the absence of reliable measures, employers are also concerned that
their ability to ensure the safety of workers and processes will be
compromised and we can expect increased scrutiny along these lines to
become the norm, despite the fact that consumption is not really
expected to increase significantly.

As a result of all of this, perhaps the greatest change we can expect
to see with regard to cannabis consumption is a fundamental change in
its culture. Because of the heightened awareness we can expect among
the public in general, it is likely that cannabis culture will shift
dramatically from smoking products to edibles, which are far less
conspicuous than marijuana smoke. This kind of use will rile far fewer
neighbours, arouse the suspicions of far fewer cops, and can be
indulged in at virtually any time at any place with little fear of
incidental detection. Not only will this alter consumption habits, it
it will also dramatically alter the social dynamic that has always
accompanied the communal sharing of joints and pipes. The absence of
smoke will also reduce the most evident physical indications of
marijuana use, de-emphasising physical sensation and introducing a
more subtle, yet nevertheless powerful 'high.'

Despite the long-awaited legislation, how the process of legalization
unfolds remains to be seen and, its stated goals of reducing crime and
improving public health still hinge on details as yet unknown. In just
over a year, there are many things still to be decided.

In all, Young Trudeau has finally fulfilled one of his most publicized
campaign promises but has done so with an intent and attitude that
surely has disappointed large numbers of those who anticipated a much
more relaxed and tolerant attitude the use of their favourite drug.
How it ultimately affects their lies, however, remains to be seen.
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MAP posted-by: Matt