Pubdate: Wed, 20 Sep 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 WHERE THERE'S SMOKE... It's been almost two full years since young Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party performed one of the most impressive revivals of a political party in Canadian history, regaining power from the Royal Canadian Harper Government and providing the country what was, in contrast, a progressive, marketing friendly face to the world. In addition, Young Justin has benefited from the stark contrast between his own public persona and that of the pustule of awfulness that has infested the American White House this year. For many progressives around the world, he has come not only to represent a kind of politics in direct opposition to his American counterpart and a signal of hope to ease the despair of those who see in Trump the moral, economic, and social failure that he represents. Nevertheless, at half way through his initial mandate, the youthful Prime Minster is being called to account for the aftermath of some of his most ambitious - and daunting - promises. To begin with, the hyperbole and grand statements of intent that have spewed from Liberal mouths with regard to the state of Indigenous relations been spectacularly ineffective in easing the conditions in which thousands of Native Canadians live, and although sporadic agreements have been signed, little improvement has yet been seen on the ground. The much-vaunted Inquiry into the Disappearance and Murder of Indigenous Women barely got off the ground before resignations and recriminations began to tumble like dice. The recent restructuring of government to divide Indigenous affairs between two federal ministries, though promising has also not yet demonstrated any fundamental improvement of the basic colonial relationship that, as always, continues to, existed. Recently, the government has come under criticism for its 'betrayal of the middle class' represented by its announced plan to cut some tax breaks awarded to self-employed professionals, like doctors. In another matter entirely, it is beginning to appear that one of Justin's most vaunted campaign promises, the legalization of recreational use of marijuana, will represent one of his most substantial betrayal - not because of a failure to deliver, but in the way he kept his promise. According to recent studies, approximately 12.5 per cent of Canadians over the age of 15 use marijuana at least occasionally. Almost half have used the weed at least once in their lives. A majority support its legalization, although few could have expected the scheme the federal government came up with to accomplish it. Last year, the government passed legislation that kept the letter of the promise by passing a federal law that would remove federal penalties for the possession of small amounts of the drug for personal use and allowing for the individual growth of a small number of plants. As is the case with alcohol, however, the regulations, prices, and controls to be applied to the individual provinces, some of whom are not particularly excited about the process. To make matters worse for the casual stoner, Trudeau quickly clarified that the legalization process was not an endorsement of marijuana use, but rather an attempt to wrest control of its distribution for organized crime and to 'protect our youth.' To emphasize the point, legalization will be accompanied by an enhanced and harsher enforcement of regulations that could end up sending even more users to prison than before. Under the distribution system that has developed over the last several decades, the vast majority of sales have benefitted organized gangs of criminals like the Hells Angels and those who work alongside them. These distributors rarely make any distinction in their clientele on the basis of age and many are also the source of contraband tobacco and many other, harder drugs. While marijuana might not be the 'gateway drug' of its opponents' nightmares, its dealers' doorways often serve the same purpose. They guy with the pot is often the guy with the cocaine, the speed, or any other in-demand substance, and there are no controls over what these drugs might be laced with. The money and contacts made in the process, also funds (and feeds) other, less benign criminal activities such as sex trafficking and child exploitation. Nevertheless, for the average consumer, the non-system has worked reasonably well, providing marijuana of relatively consistent quality, and often locally grown. Long-term users have by bow already established reliable suppliers who can supply reasonable quantities at reasonable prices. They often even deliver. Under the new regulations (and as yet we don't know what these will be) the dependable dealer we have all grown to love is going to be faced with a difficult choice. Either continue to supply the young people who will be banned and face the potential consequences, or go out of business entirely. While this might benefit the provincial treasury, it will not in itself make life any easier for the consumer. Those who dreamed of a corner 'mom and pop pot shop' are likely to be terribly disappointed. In Ontario, for example, the province plans to create a limited number of outlets reminiscent of the universally despised LCBO. The Quebec government - which has-been surprisingly anti-legalisation - in turn, has said it will not allow the personal cultivation of plants at all. Although the federal government has limited the legal sale of cannabis products to those 18 years of age and older, provinces are free, as with alcohol, to set their own limits and, although 21 has been set in many jurisdictions, mental health officials are urging a lower age limit of 25, given the association adolescent pot use has been demonstrated to have with issues like schizophrenia. One thing we can be assured of then, is that the higher the limit chosen the greater will be the contraband market outside of government control. As we have seen with regard to tobacco, a rigid government control of a legal substance can lead to its own problems, and in Quebec, higher taxes, for example, have only led to a proliferation of contraband tobacco despite drastic penalties. In one local, informal survey, a Sherbrooke newspaper revealed that 38 per cent of cigarette butts recuperated from ash receptacles at Sherbrooke's main bus transfer station were remnants of illegally obtained products. There is no question that substances like marijuana should be controlled in some way, but the process that is unfolding will result in the corporatization of production, the nationalization of distribution, and egregious increase in prices. It will also likely fail entirely in its attempts to curtain the drug's use by young people. Many believed that the Trudeau Liberals were introducing a more tolerant approach to marijuana use; instead a more efficient method of repression has been introduced. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em. For now. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt