Pubdate: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329 Author: Ike Awgu, For the Ottawa Sun Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) DRIVE FOR LEGAL MARIJUANA HAS A FEW POTHOLES If ever reality could be beaten back with a lot of imagination, delegates at the Liberal Party policy convention being held next month should be given credit for trying. Reality: Marijuana is not a harmless or victimless indulgence and should remain illegal. Selling blunts over the counter like they were chocolate bars or firecrackers but with an age limit on the wrapper, probably isn't a good idea. And despite what many have been led to believe, not all young people are in favour of marijuana being legalized. Nonetheless, a resolution to make marijuana lawful and to tax its sales brought forth by the Alberta Liberals will be on the agenda at the upcoming Liberal policy convention. Parliament is already debating legislation to decriminalize marijuana, but the proposal by the Alberta Liberals goes much farther. The resolution would see marijuana sold over the counter, much like cigarettes or alcohol, but with a sizable toke of the profits going to the federal government. According to the resolution, taxed marijuana sales would puff-puff and give around $3 billion dollars in additional revenue to federal or provincial coffers each year. In addition to its potential to generate revenue, delegates have also suggested that the legalization of marijuana would be "a serious blow to drug dealers and organized crime financially." And of course, as with any market in which a larger, more organized competitor arrives, it certainly would. No doubt the government will be a better drug dealer than say, the Hells Angels. However, the fact that organized crime may be dealt a blow through this proposal, or that the province and federal governments may cash in on Canadians getting high, shouldn't be anywhere near enough reason to substantiate the Alberta Liberals proposal. As imaginative as it may be, reality refuses to be beaten back. The legalization of marijuana will inevitably result in its increased use. What controls exist however, to protect the public from marijuana's abuse? To what degree does smoking marijuana affect your ability to drive or operate motor vehicles? If combined with alcohol (as it often is) is your ability to think rationally compromised in any special way? And most importantly, since driving under the influence of a strong intoxicant is illegal, how do we detect whether or not someone has "smoked" too much to be behind the wheel? No effective method of testing for levels of marijuana impairment has been developed, and unlike alcohol, where we've yet to even figure out a legal limit for intoxication. Were it not for the fact that marijuana impairs judgment and perception, people wouldn't smoke it. The argument that motor functions, perception or work ethic, are not affected by habitual marijuana use is absurd. Is it truly safe for someone to be operating mechanical equipment while puffing away on a dime bag? The legalization of marijuana, like the legalization of alcohol, will inevitably bring about its abuse. Before legalizing marijuana can be seriously discussed, methods for protecting us from those abusing it should be in place. Clearly, there is an argument for marijuana's decriminalization and legal use for medicinal purposes. Few of my generation, or any other, seriously debate that. It is important' however, that in our desire to be fair with marijuana users, we don't lose sight of what marijuana essentially is -- a mind altering drug -- or remove the stigma attached to its use without fully considering the repercussions. I am in favour of decriminalizing marijuana possession in small amounts (teenagers don't deserve criminal records for getting high at their parents' house) but adding another drug to our society's already extensive roster of intoxicants is a proposal that should be met with extraordinary scrutiny. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek