Pubdate: Sat, 02 Dec 2017
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Jarrod Picton

LEGAL MARIJUANA WILL MAKE CANADA SAFER

On July 1, 2018, marijuana is going to be legalized in Canada.
However, there is no need to fear. In fact, Canadians should feel more
at ease as July 1 approaches.

Legalization means many things for Canadians. Once a substance is
legalized, it directly and aggressively hemorrhages revenue from the
black market. When criminal organizations lose money, they lose power.
When they lose power, they lose their ability to negatively affect
society.

This will be akin to what occurred when prohibition ceased in the
United States. All these criminal organizations lost their power and
wealth once alcohol was relegalized. Legalization, in turn, made
society at large safer and more hospitable.

Marijuana is commonly, but incorrectly, called "a gateway drug." This
so-called "gateway effect" is caused by the black market. This is
because drug dealers who sell weed typically sell a variety of other
substances as well. The dealers then offer to sell these other
substances to their buyers.

This environment is what causes people to try different narcotics, not
marijuana itself. When marijuana is legalized, and people no longer
need to seek out shady dealers, it is likely that the testing of more
serious substances will dramatically decline.

So, Canadians, do not fear, a safer Canada is near.

Jarrod Picton

Esquimalt
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