Pubdate: Tue, 19 Aug 2014
Source: News, The (New Glasgow, CN NS)
Copyright: 2014 Transcontinental Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ngnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3343
Page: 6

GET DOWN TO THE NITTY-GRITTY

Most will agree - both politicians and those without ulterior motives
- - that youths should not smoke marijuana.

Yet political parties insist on settling into their default mode of
pointing fingers and mudslinging rather than informing Canadians
honestly about their position on what's shaping up as a monumental
issue.

Many will recall the position Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau made
public in the past year, that marijuana should be made legal, with
sales controlled as with alcohol.

The federal Conservatives are proposing a marijuana awareness
campaign, with a key point to underline the health risks of marijuana
to youth. Health Minister Rona Ambrose has denied it is an attack on
the Liberal leader's stance.

>From his side, Trudeau lashed out at his political foes last week over
reports that Health Canada has approached three doctors groups to sign
on to an anti-pot advertising campaign directed at youth. In fact, the
CMA, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada have turned down the pitch,
calling the campaign a "political football," according to an article
from The Canadian Press.

Thankfully those organizations are recognizing this shoot-out for what
it is and aren't hesitating to call it that.

This one issue isn't likely to be the game-changer in next year's
federal election, but it could have a powerful impact.

We don't need political attacks thinly veiled as health messages, nor
do we need sensitive knee-jerk reactions to health warnings labelling
them as partisan attacks. One is as useless as the other.

What Canadians do need is honest, rational discussion. With
comparisons to other jurisdictions where recreational use is legal, we
would like to know the effects it has had on curtailing criminal
activity involving drugs.

Another crucial factor is facts, figures and trends as to whether
legal, controlled sales really is a better way of keeping recreational
drugs out of the hands of minors.
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MAP posted-by: Matt