« FALLOUT OF MARIJUANA VERDICT | Main | MEDICINAL POT NOT ABOUT GETTING HIGH »
Vancouver mayor backs legal pot
By Hempology | June 9, 2005
Federal government needs to take a hard look at the best way to manage marijuana
ACity of Vancouver report, with the backing of Mayor Larry Campbell, is calling for the legalization of marijuana not just decriminalization as proposed by legislation stalled in Parliament.
If this wins the backing of city council next week and survives six or seven months of public scrutiny and input, the proposal could end up in the lap of Prime Minister Paul Martin assuming he has survived during that period as well.
Just think of it: Canadas third-largest city, with the highest drug problem in the land, advocating that possession of pot should be legal, and its production regulated and taxed, just like anything else. It would put Martin in a tight spot, having promised to bring Canadas cities into the decision-making process in Ottawa.
He said on Monday that he will consult mayors before every budget, and that cities should help establish the objectives of the nation and guide where we as a country are going. Its not likely that he was anticipating the kind of guidance that Campbell offers.
Putting aside the political fallout of telling the mayor to stick to things like roads and sewers and supervised injection sites, the feds should keep their knees from jerking and give this a thought. For Campbell has some good points.
Removing the threat of a prison sentence and criminal record from anyone found with small amounts of marijuana, and subjecting them to simple fines, like traffic tickets, while increasing penalties for trafficking, sends a mixed message that it (pot) is OK, but that its a crime to obtain it.
Making pot legal would allow teachers and others trying to prevent drug abuse to talk to teenagers about it realistically, the way they talk about the dangers of alcohol and cigarettes now.
The attitude so far has been to say that since its against the law to smoke marijuana even though 225,000 teens are doing so every day they can be told only: Just say No. Teaching moderation in the use of a substance that many health professionals say does less harm than alcohol and cigarettes is impossible if that condones law-breaking.
Furthermore, prohibiting marijuana and other illegal drugs hasnt reduced their availability or prevented the harm that results from their abuse.
It means governments cant regulate drugs and ensures profits for criminals.
The Canadian Senate recommended in 2002 that marijuana possession should be legal. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Mary Southin has observed that if the courts find marijuana use doesnt pose a serious risk, theres no reason Parliament should regulate its use at all, and provinces should regulate it as they do liquor.
And although the Supreme Court of Canada found in 2003 that Parliament has the authority to prescribe criminal or other sanctions against the use of cannabis, since its health risks are not insignificant or trivial, three of seven justices on the case said the government hasnt shown pot causes serious enough harm to justify criminalization.
The governments proposal to remove criminal sanctions for possession of minor amounts is refreshingly more progressive than the majority on our top court. Its a recognition that public opinion is realizing that the current anti-pot regime just doesnt work.
Its probably too much to expect this minority government to push boldly ahead with its marijuana legislation. But when it, or a successor, is emboldened to try, it should realize that what it proposes is but the first, cautious step along the way that Campbell is offering to guide the country.
His proposal deserves open and widespread discussion. Even if our society is not ready to adopt it overnight, it should not be pushed aside out of fear of offending American law-enforcement authorities or outmoded sentiments like that expressed in the 1938 Toronto Star headline: Marijuana smokers seized with sudden craze to kill.
Legally obtainable marijuana is a concept that is growing as rapidly as any weed. It can no longer be nipped in the bud.
Topics: Articles | Comments Off
Comments are closed.