Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jan 2016
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Kevin Richard
Note: Kevin Richard is a freelance writer and a police officer in the 
Eastern Townships.
Page: A9

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA MIGHT MAKE SENSE; TRIVIALIZING IT DOES NOT

Justin Trudeau should be setting the right tone for young Canadians, 
Kevin Richard says.

A little over a decade ago a wandering federal government stuck its 
finger to the wind to see what would carry them back to power in the 
next election. It openly dithered with the idea of decriminalizing 
marijuana only to make a half-hearted attempt that was doomed to 
fail. As a result of this irresponsible attempt to gain popular 
favour, police officers commonly encountered confused young people 
who believed that decriminalization was all but a done deal. 
Unfortunately, many of them now have criminal records.

Considering, therefore, the still-present legal implications of its 
use, and considering the ever-present health implications of its 
abuse, I would ask our new federal government and Prime Minister 
Justin Trudeau to tread carefully so as not to make light of what is 
a serious issue.

As the government moves forward with the legalization of marijuana, I 
would like to point out that tone matters. In this respect, I believe 
the government has gone off course, and it would do well to correct it.

It began prior to the formation of the government, when, without 
regret, Trudeau casually admitted to having used marijuana as an MP, 
at a dinner party. The problem, is not that he once used marijuana, 
an act committed by a vast number of us. The problem is the 
remorseless trivialization of its use while it constituted a criminal 
offence, and while in a position of public trust, where people are 
held to higher behavioural standards. Such trivialization is sure to 
be interpreted as an endorsement by some.

The prohibition of marijuana has undoubtedly been a massive failure. 
Marijuana is more accessible than ever. It is more affordable than 
ever. Its quality is uncontrolled; it is often highly potent and 
laced with chemical substances. It empowers organized crime. It leads 
to violent turf wars. It clogs up our judicial system. And in the 
end, we can't even keep it out of our prisons, much less society at large.

Notwithstanding this failure, and in spite of the reasonable 
arguments in favour of marijuana decriminalization and legalization, 
the non-medical use of it remains a poor personal choice. At the very 
worst, it can lead to psychological dependence, the use of harder 
drugs and the triggering of mental illness. At the very least, it 
clouds the mind; it can stifle ambition; and can retard personal 
development, leaving one in a permanent state of adolescence. In 
short, making something permissible does not make it a good idea.

Though the federal Liberal party's website appears to support the 
above affirmation of truth, I fear it has been diluted and lost as a 
result of the mixed message Trudeau has sent. It means little for a 
public official to state such concerns if he simultaneously and 
unrepentantly trivializes his own drug use while holding public office.

Families, schools and the medical establishment will soon have the 
responsibility of educating youths to make good and healthy decisions 
on this matter without the help of the force of law. In light of how 
marijuana use can be the first step to its abuse, and in light of the 
many associated health concerns, the last thing they need is the 
apparent endorsement of its use from a respected public figure and 
leader, be that a false perception or not.

I am not without sin. I do not condemn Trudeau for having been 
tempted, nor do I condemn him for having given in to temptation. I 
do, however, believe that as his government moves forward with this 
project, a sincere and public acknowledgement of this error in 
judgment would be wise. Considering the great power and trust that 
has been vested in him, and considering the influence he now holds, 
it would go a long way in setting the right tone and in sending the 
right message to young Canadians.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom