Pubdate: Sun, 05 Jan 2014
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Terry Davidson
Referenced: Forum Research Inc. News Release (August 24, 2013): 
http://mapinc.org/url/matidvYE

CANADA'S POT LUCK

Learning From New U.S. Laws

Canadian policy-makers should keep a close eye on the recent 
legalizing of marijuana in two U.S. states before deciding on a 
direction in the pot debate now raging north of the border, a 
prominent American drug-policy expert says.

Mark Kleiman, a professor with the University of California Los 
Angeles (UCLA) and an adviser to Washington State on the recent 
loosening of its pot laws, says it will be to Canada's "advantage" to 
take note of how Washington and Colorado deal with the legalization 
of marijuana - a recreational drug many consider to be potentially 
addictive and a health hazard - and to take note of the successes and 
the challenges experienced by both states.

"What happens in Colorado and Washington will teach us something 
about the effects of legal cannabis markets," Kleiman told the 
Toronto Sun. "That new knowledge should help Canada design a better 
system. For the (early) adopters of legalization, the key is to pick 
a system that is easily changed in the light of experience."

In 2012, Washington and Colorado each made a landmark departure from 
stalwart American drug laws by legalizing recreational marijuana, 
with Colorado last Wednesday becoming the first state to officially 
begin allowing the sale of the drug at commercial locations.

That day, as many as 40 dispensaries licensed to sell marijuana 
opened, and anyone aged 21 and older is now free to buy a limited 
amount. State mandated rules around the sale reportedly include 
childproof packaging and labelling that has licence numbers of the 
producer of the drug, as well as the retailer selling it. It will 
reportedly be next year sometime when Washington will begin a similar practice.

As well, it was deemed legal for Colorado citizens to grow up to six 
plants in their homes for their own use without the fear of criminal 
persecution.

Meanwhile, debate over legalizing pot here in Canada was ignited yet 
again after federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau admitted during a 
trip to Vancouver this past summer that he had smoked pot after being 
elected an MP, and called for marijuana to be made legal north of the border.

For a time afterward, Conservative MP and Justice Minister Peter 
MacKay maintained the ruling Tories have "no intention of legalizing 
or decriminalizing marijuana." But, in December, MacKay hinted the 
Conservatives are considering altering the nation's marijuana laws so 
police would have the option of fining pot smokers in possession of 
small amounts of the drug instead of laying criminal charges.

What is currently happening in Washington and Colorado, the UCLA's 
Kleiman says, is an experiment in what good could come of legalizing 
marijuana - a controlled and reversible experiment of sorts that 
could either result in "gains" such as reduced illicit activity, 
fewer arrests and a decrease in incarceration, or possible "losses" 
such as increased drug abuse and a rise in impaired driving.

Kleiman also said that while both Washington and Colorado have left 
the selling of the pot up to their respective commercial markets - 
both of which must do so under state-made rules and regulations - 
this may not be the way to go for Canada, explaining that if 
marijuana is made legal north of the border, the safe selling of it 
may best be done by government.

"If an addictive commodity is to be provided, the provider ought to 
be someone who doesn't have a financial incentive to induce consumers 
to use it addictively," he said.

Dr. Jurgen Rehm, of Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 
says CAMH is considering supporting the legalization of pot in Canada 
as long as strict conditions are put in place around its advertising 
and marketing, as well as strong safeguards around keeping it out of 
the hands of minors.

According to an August 2013 poll by Forum Research Inc., 69% of adult 
Canadians support either the legalization and taxation of marijuana 
or the decriminalization for small amounts of the drug.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom