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Ted’s answers to the Cannabis Discussion Paper’s Questions
By Hempology | July 23, 2002
By Ted Smith
Founder,
Victoria’s Hempology 101 Society
Here are my answers to the questions found at the end of the
Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs’ Discussion Paper on
Cannabis. The original document can be found at:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/Committee_SenActivity.asp?comm_id=85
. If you are interested in influencing public policy on cannabis use, you should send your
own answers to the senate before the end of August.
1.
Do you agree with the research conclusions we have received? What are your reasons
and sources of information?
The Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs should be commended for it’s work
creating the Discussion Paper on Cannabis. I greatly appreciated the opportunity
to appear before the group twice as it toured the country, and will consider those
presentations and the materials I provided, including a copy of the Hempology 101
Textbook, as my reasons and sources of information for coming to that conclusion.
Certainly, the science presented in the document appears to be quite accurate,
though missing a few key points. While some conclusions about cannabis made in
the report may be questionable, generally the statements are reasonable,
clear and concise, quite a challenge.
Without degrading the bulk of credible, complete information, I would like to
point out a few areas where I believe further investigations or statements could
be made. Nothing was mentioned about the potential negative impacts from smoking
bad pot or doing it improperly. Developing an addiction to cannabis, or other
possible destructive habits, is often the result of growing up in a poor living
environment, with mental issues sometimes, but not always, contributing to that
digression. Many youth are drawn into the drug culture because of the ability
to make fast money. Some major dealers never or rarely consume what they sell and
care nothing about the effects of the bad drugs they sell. Also, when inexperienced
drivers are intoxicated by any substance they become very dangerous behind the wheel,
especially if they are inexperianced consumers.
Experienced cannabis consumers who are good, veteran drivers are generally as safe
as anyone, usually driving slower, taking fewer riska dn not getting behind the wheel
in the first place if they are too stoned. Since the effects of smoking cannabis are
felt quickly and the high subsides in a relatively short time, there is no risk of a
person becoming more intoxicated as they drive. More accidents are caused be people
under the influence of prescription drugs than cannabis. Of course, if a person is
smoking just before or while driving then they become more intoxicated, but most
who push their luck by smoking while driving are experienced enough to compensate
for their slow reactions. In this case the second biggest problem may be if the joint
or heater falls between their legs, the real worry being caught smoking in your
car. While this and other statements should not be considered as endoresements for
people to be continually using drugs, the Senate should recognize that most
societies in history have used mind-altering substances to relax. For the most part,
despite these few issues, I believe the rest of the Discussion Paper on Cannabis
is quite accurate and I am very grateful for all of your work. Current updates as
to my research and the activities of the Cannabis Buyers Clubs of Canada can be
found at www.hempology.com.
2.
Research evidence we have received to date does not appear to support criminalization
and penalization of cannabis. Do you share this view?
Penalizing people for non-violent, personal habits is wrong in general,
and potentially life-threatening when it comes to cannabis. Many desperately need
this herb to control pain and symptoms from incurable medical problems, subdue nausea
caused by powerful medications or otherwise to induce appetite, sleep, or generally to
relieve stress, aches and pains throughout the day. Proper use of cannabis helps
prolong life in many ways for seriously ill citizens and persecuting these people is
especially wrong. Life should offer rewards, not more punishments.
3.
Studies appear to indicate that the current policy approach may cause more harm than
good. Do you agree? Why?
Yes. There are many socio-economic indicators which strongly suggest the
laws create very little good while exposing individuals to unnecessary risks at a
great financial cost to society. To begin with, the fact that the government does not
trust us to do what is best for our own bodies and has decided to inflict massive
punishment upon deviants is simply wrong. Young people rebel against senselessly
applied authority almost instinctively, with most forever disrespecting law
enforcement agents after learning about the folly of the drug war. Ignorant and
misinformed drug experimenters harm themselves and sometimes die with inappropriate
behaviour, often with impure drugs sold by rip-off artists. The only real problem
which the current model of prohibition seems to be addressing is job creation. Drug
abuse, crime, stress, isolation, economic insecurity and distrust of authority
are all problems definately made worse by prohibition. Lost economic opportunities
from cannabis being llegal could be equal to the value of all Canada’s legal
agricultural crops combined. Many people die and suffer prematurely for lack of
cannabis. Many children wonder why their nice parents are taken away from them
because they had plants in the backyard. The studies and the general
population have been showing for years that the laws are wrong, it is time for
judges and politicians to wake up and change them.
4.
It is better for youth not to use cannabis (or to smoke tobacco), yet we also know that
youth have and will do so if only because of the rebellion and soul searching of
adolescence. Do you think that penal prohibition is the right way to define what is allowed
and what is not for youth?
Youth use drugs for many different reasons, more often probably for health
or other stress-related issues than for experimenting. Social pressure to consume
alcohol is very strong in some communities and a young adult who resists peer pressure
to drink is probably rebelling more against social norms by being sober. Youth
sometimes begin using drugs because their parents, neighbours or other friends of the
family openly used mind-altering substances aroung them throughout childhood. For
these youth, using some drugs like tobacco or magic mushrooms is a rite of passage
available to all willing to participate. Responsible use as role models is the best
and most obvious start towards expecting appropriate drug taking behaviour in youth,
with honesty being another vital component. Punishing youth for wrong behaviour
without offering rewards for responsible actions is not productive. Unfortunately,
many are driven to drugs because of poverty, as the growing dispurity between the
rich and poor continues to cause increasing resentment, mistrust and hostility. The police
are perceived by youth and the poor as instruments of obedience forcing themselves
upon those not participating in the prosperity of global economic institutions, with
the drug laws being their number one tool of oppression.
Educating youth about risks involved in activities like drug use, sex
or extreme, dangerous sports, while providing appropriate safeguards for
healthy experiences, is about as important as having responsible role models when
growing up. While we should caution youth from engaging in risk-taking behaviour,
especially prematurely, it is difficult to imagine a worse situation for youth
than the current military-style approaches used by some behaviour modification
programs like DARE, with sudden searches and automatic suspensions continually
occuring in schools. The war on Drugs causes youth to become isolated from family
members, friends, medical care workers, spiritual leaders, community groups and
others once they decide to try an illicit drug for the first time. During one of
the most important periods of social development, this is the last time extra
barriers between teenagers and adults should be created. That is not to say that
drug use by youth is not a problem, but the issues should be about choosing drugs
which cause the least amount of harm when used properly, not which drugs are illegal
or not. While some forms of punishment should be available for youth showing up to
school high or drunk, suspending students hurts society more in the long run. Youth
who become disenchanted with the system because of unfair or unreasonable rules
are almost guaranteed to enter into a life of crime and drugs. If society doesn’t
give youth tools to build a better life for themselves through hard work and
determination, then they will find short-term rewards in the darkest corners of
civilization.
5.
Should public policies aim to prevent use or minimize the negative consequences of
use?
Public policies should be directed to minimize negative impacts from
social activities of all kinds, while attempting to maximize potential benefits.
In the case of the cannabis laws, the economic, social and medical costs caused
by prohibition far outweigh any perceived benefits being sought by proponents of
the drug war. While legalization may create an increase in some health care costs,
legal inexpensive cannabis should be medicate some people enough to substantially
lower health care costs and individual suffering as well. Most of the perceived potential
costs associated with legalization are based in health and social impacts, as few will
dare argue that the economic benefits support continued prohibition of cannabis. The
health impacts are mostly felt by the individual consumer, though drug use does affect
work performance and operation of heavy equipment. With cannabis, the social impacts
associated with moderate use are usually positive, if the consumer is relatively
well-balanced mentally. Cannabis consumers are usually less violent, rude, risk-taking or
destructive than people using substances like alcohol, coaine or even some
prescription drugs. Public policies regulating the taxation of cannabis need to be
aimed towards nuturing a industry comparable to the wine business. Individuals should be able to
enter the marketplace without unnecessary taxes, beauracracy or restructions. If the
legal process, hopefully guided by the Canadian Cannabis Control Board, is not clear and
reasonable, growers will continue to maintain current market share without bothering to
apply for government approval. As we know, not all legal activities are “above the board”
and the underground cannabis economy could continue to flourish if reasonable
regulations are not put into effect.
6.
Studies indicate that more liberal policy approaches have little effect on actually
increasing or decreasing use patterns of cannabis. Do you agree? Why?
Under the current circumstances, most adults in Canada already have a choice about
using cannabis or not, though some places do have a limited supply. Some people will choose cannabis
over alochol, which should be less damaging personally and socially, with others quitting tobacco
and other hard drugs by using cannabis instead. However, use by urban youth may decrease in some cases
depending upon the education programs regarding substance use and exactly how the policies are
implemented. Even if cannabis use increases there are few potential negative impacts that will
affect society. If some people who smoke pot simply become less productive and more focused upon
enjoying life, we may see a world with less stress on the planet and it’s people.
7.
If Canada was to adopt a different, more liberal approach to cannabis, should it take into
account the reaction of the USA? What would the reaction likely be?
The USA has been the leading authority in the past century’s war on some plants,
drugs and those caught, or suspected to be involved, in the production and distribution of them.
Canada has a unique opportunity in international politics to affect the USA and it’s “War on Drugs”
by being so economically, historically, physically and socially related. Our mother country,
Britian, has changed it’s harsh cannabis laws, sending a strong message to the USA and the rest
of the world that the status quo is inefficient and unacceptable. Powerful economic interests support
the drug war in the USA, which combined with a religious nationalism which denies all negative
accusations, makes stopping the War on Drugs seem almost impossible. Trade sanctions and boycotts
would apppear to be the most significant threats faced by Canada from the USA if politicians decide
to change the laws. However, if the courts, which in Canada are supposed to be independant, strike
the current laws down, the USA will probably react very strongly with tighter borders and less
cooperation. The strategic weapons of the drug war are violence and propaganda. While they
cannot justify invading our country immediately, we are already constantly hearing about
how the drug war sponsors terrorism and should expect harsh criticism combined with
strange statements. Unfortunately, awkward periods of decriminalization will justify increasing
pressure upon producers and suppliers, with no resolution for medical issues. Canada would best
exert it’s influence over the USA by hosting an international convention on cannabis. This meeting
would provide an opportunity for countries to discuss changes to current laws, while sparking
an enlightened conversation where the USA government cannot ignore it.
8.
Some politicians have already indicated that the present public policy regime would not
change whatever the conclusions of this Committee or others. What, if anything, should be
done to advance this kind of debate? What role should the Senate play?
The Canadian Senate by nature does not have the ability to change the cannabis
laws. The federal government has only changed or amended drug laws after significant court
decisions and will probably only react to further legal impositions. The public, however,
can influence the policy makers in many ways, much like how citizens spoke out to end the
Vietnam War, by engaging in constant, peaceful, civil disobediance to protest drug laws.
The Senate can play a very influencial role in the community by continuing to provide accurate
and realistic statements regarding cannabis age and government policies. After having reviewed
the current situation, we see that the Senate is ready to consider and promote changes to the
current drug policies and we applaud this general move. By promoting the creation of a Canadian Cannabis
Control Board, the Senate would provide the public with a mechanism to control the legal growth,
distribution and use of cannabis.
Is the main goal of this and other Senate committees to influence public policy, or are there other
important goals to consider? Simply educating the public, for example, by forcing educators in high
schools to use the Discussion Paper on Cannabis as a historical document to be taught in drug education
classes, the Senate could make a difference. While the Senate has a limited budget, and individuals involved a limited amount of time, appearing in public
to speak or debate the issues being raised is going to be increasingly important for our society to change
it’s thinking about drugs, legal or not. A recent forum hosted by CBC Radio in Victoria about youth and drugs at
a local high school was able to bring together a diverse group of concerned individuals to begin discussing
these emotional and complex issues. Such safe environments allow individuals who have been victimized
by the War On Drugs to say their story, while providing the public a simple reality check about how youth in
particular easily become drawn into, manipulated and destroyed in the current drug culture. More communication
and educating needs to be done, while court cases continue to challenge the ability of police to arrest,
detain or convict people involved in the medical use of cannabis. Once the medical uses of cannabis have
been fully understood by the public, no doubt it will become legal for the rest of the population.
The Senate should endorse the creation of the Canadian Cannabis Control Board, a multi-jurisdictional
institution which binds different government bodies together to build an efficient cannabis economy
with reasonable regulations and taxes.
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