Pubdate: Wed, 28 Dec 2016
Source: Okotoks Western Wheel (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016, Great West Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.westernwheel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1638
Author: Krista Conrad

FEDS MOVING AHEAD ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Politics: Liberals say making cannabis legal will reduce drug crime, 
youth access

It won't be long before marijuana could be available for sale next to
cigarettes.

The Liberal government's task force on marijuana legalization, formed
in June, released its report on making cannabis legal in Canada
earlier this month.

The recommendations in the report include setting the national minimum
age to 18, but allowing provinces to harmonize that age with the
minimum age to purchase alcohol.

In addition, marijuana would fall under restrictions similar to the
Tobacco Act, including being packaged with company names, THC levels
and warnings like cigarette packages.

"It is our hope that the recommendations contained in our report,
taken together, will provide a foundation for a new system of
regulatory safeguards for legal access to cannabis that aim to better
protect health and to enhance public safety," said task force
chairperson Anne McLellan. "Collaboration amongst governments,
experts, front-line service providers and the public will be critical
to the success of a new system."

Marijuana legalization was a campaign promise by the Liberal Party in
last year's federal election.

In an interview with the Canadian Press, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
said the legalization of marijuana is based on two principles: keeping
it out of the hands of youth, and keeping drug money out of the hands
of criminals.

"Our approach on legalizing marijuana is not about creating a boutique
industry or bringing in tax revenues," said Trudeau.

Foothills MP John Barlow is not convinced legalizing marijuana will
have the effects Trudeau anticipates.

"Legalizing marijuana doesn't make it difficult to get a hold of it,"
said Barlow.

"If they're selling it at corner stores it's going to be more
abundant, and kids will be more likely to get hold of it."

Barlow said he's even more concerned about the proposed minimum legal
age being 18.

According to medical professionals consulted as part of the task force
study, marijuana can have significant effects on the brain, which is
still developing until the age of 25.

Doctors recommended the task force set a minimum age of 21, he
said.

"I don't know why the government would go against that opinion," said
Barlow. "I'm hoping they would listen to the professionals."

He said he doesn't think it will deter criminals from selling the drug
on the streets, but might alter their product.

People making lucrative profit in marijuana sales aren't going to be
thrilled about having to have a storefront or have their products
tested and regulated, he said.

Believing the legalization of cannabis will eliminate the criminal
element of the drug trade is naive, said Barlow.

"Criminals are criminals, and they're going to find ways around those
things," said Barlow.

"They'll undercut the store prices, or they'll ignore the
government-regulated THC levels and sell stronger marijuana, which
will appeal to heavier users."

As a parent, Barlow has concerns over marijuana being a gateway to
more dangerous drugs, something he said will be an issue whether it's
legalized or not.

Barlow argued it would have been better to decriminalize the drug,
something the Conservative Party supported in the House of Commons.

Decriminalizing the drug would have meant removing it from the
Controlled Drug and Substances Act, which would eliminate penalties
for possession.

Trudeau argued in the House of Commons on April 20 that
decriminalizing would give "a legal stream of income to criminal
organizations."

Barlow said the Conservatives made significant concessions on their
side to support decriminalization, and were disappointed when it was
ruled out last spring.

"We know things are changing, times are changing," said Barlow. "But
fully legalizing it is not somewhere I want to go, and it's not what
my constituents want to see."

The timeline for legalization of marijuana is vague, though it is
expected to come forward in the spring of 2017, he said.

Barlow said he hopes the government provides sufficient time for
parliamentarians and Canadian citizens to debate the issue.

No matter when it happens, he said he hopes the government proceeds
with caution.

"It's been a year already, so I don't think they're in a real rush to
push this through," said Barlow.

"I urge the Liberal government to put the public safety and health of
young people first, and not just fulfilling a political promise."
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