Pubdate: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS) Copyright: 2013 Troy Media Contact: http://www.capebretonpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777 Author: Terry Field (Terry Field is an associate professor and program chair of the journalism major in the bachelor of communication program at Mount Royal University in Calgary. This column was provided by Troy Media (www.troymedia.com).) TRUDEAU'S POT STANCE IS A REFRESHING POLICY OPTION Legalizing marijuana use in Canada could be the best way, and maybe the only way, to protect children inclined or forced to use the stuff. That's the view of federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, and the only Canadian political figure of note to have the guts to speak to the issue. Immediately and predictably attacked by his political opponents, Trudeau is nonetheless right to suggest that we, as a society, need to consider new approaches to an old problem. Trudeau's view is likely new to most Canadians, although he has mused about it publicly before. Readers might also be surprised to hear that many Latin American politicians and policy analysts are saying the same thing. The issue is far too complex to address in a short column, but we can agree there is a need to explore alternatives to our current way of dealing with drugs. Let's also agree that marijuana use will damage your health, and that legalization would have consequences. There is a tendency among most politicians and editorialists to use that argument to dismiss change out-of-hand, when they should at least be willing to explore the possibilities. The argument for legalization would primarily be an acknowledgement of failed social policy. It is a fact, even a sad one, that human beings will explore the use of substances that alter their state of mind. It is certainly sad that many millions of North Americans live desperate lives as a result of overuse and resulting addiction. The question of what is to be done about it is challenging. It was U.S. President Richard Nixon who established the so called "war on drugs" in the 1970s, which beefed up policing and military activities in the United States and in countries around the world that supplied drugs to American users. That "war," as Trudeau rightly suggested, has been a complete, abject, costly failure on all levels. Drug use is more rampant now than then. Highly militarized and monumentally wealthy cartels are also trafficking in armaments and humans, as well as drugs. Our response politically has been to spend even more money, only to see 50,000-plus people killed in Mexico alone over the past six years. Ironically, even though the United States, and, by geography, Canada, are the main markets for drugs in North America, the most active minds and voices on the subject are in Latin America. As recently as May of this year, an Organization of American States report concluded that governments of the hemisphere need to look seriously at the potential value of legalizing marijuana. The OAS has never been known for its radical take on things, and is in fact highly conservative. It has been forced into taking this stance by its members, with Canada and the U.S. on the wrong side of the prevailing view. Predictably, President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have dismissed the idea out-of-hand. It is mindboggling that such smart men are so afraid of considering the idea, particularly when so many equally smart people are open to its consideration. It seems that Obama and Harper are satisfied with the status quo, the deaths, social disruption and gang violence in their communities. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance on the planet, driving an underground industry worth billions of dollars. Making its use legal could severely impact gang activity everywhere. Selling it as we do alcohol and cigarettes would allow for limits on strength and additives, and control sales to minors. Tobacco-style warnings could be put on packages, and driving under the influence treated severely. The billions of dollars generated in taxes could be used to treat addictions for all kinds of drug use, and pay for public education campaigns. People will continue to use drugs, and our choice is to either continue advancing policing and military responses or to examine reasonably considered alternatives. Trudeau should be applauded for having the courage to address the issue. It would be nice to see other Canadian policy-makers, political analysts and editorialists join in a serious examination of the possibility and potential of change. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom