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Legalize marijuana, Fraser Report Says.
By admin | July 9, 2004
Mark Browne
Weekend Edition, Victoria News
June 11, 2004
BC’s marijuana trade is so lucrative, it only makes sense to legalize pot, says a new report from the Fraser Institute.
The report argues that pot should also be taxed, pointing out that the pot-growing business in BC is worth $7 billion annually.
“It’s taking place, it seems to be ubiquitous. The question is who’s really going to get the revenue from this activity,” said Sean Easton, a senior fellow at the institute who authored the report.
While the instititute released the report, Easton stressed that the views expressed are his own and not those of the institute.
Organized crime groups in BC are earning the revenue from marijuana crops, he said. He compares that trade to alcohol prohibition- we all watch re-runs of The Untouchables and learning nothing,” he said.
That said, the Simon Fraser University professor argues that marijuana should be regulated in the same way as alcohol.
“I don’t see why it shouldn”t be treated the same,” he said.
It makes more sense to treat any problems that might arise from abusing marijuana or alcohol as medical problems, he said.
Many high school teens are going to smoke pot whether it’s legal or illegal, Easton said.
“The fact is that every kid has access to it, that’s the astounding thing. Given that we’re already presented with a fait accompli- it’s not like we are allowing this to take place- it seems reasonable that we ought to get control of it and deal with the problems systematically,” he said.
Tax money from pot can not only treat problems associated with its use, but other health concerns, Easton said.
Society seems close to accepting the idea of legalizing pot, he said. At the same time, he concedes that the US will pressure the Canadian government to keep pot illegal.
The report comes as good news to Victoria resident Ted Smith, president of the International Hempology 101 Society.
“Financially, it’s a no-brainer. We’re spending billions of dollars on a war against a plant that many of us who use it realize its medical benefits,” he said.
While Smith has concerns that if it ever does become legal, it should not be so heavily regulated that small farmers won’t be able to get in on the action.
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