Pubdate: Tue, 28 Mar 2017
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2017 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Page: 14

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA SHOULD MEAN LESS GOVERNMENT, NOT MORE

Ontario is still suffering from a hundred year hangover after Canada
ended its brief and failed experiment with alcohol prohibition. Let's
hope the state doesn't get stoned as well.

There are a number of medical and legal reasons to consider following
news the Liberal government intends to legalize marijuana by July 1,
2018. But there's also one major governmental one to keep in mind:
bloated bureaucracy.

In the coming days the Ontario government will release its annual
sunshine list - the tally of public sector workers bringing home over
$100,000 annually.

The list includes employees of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario,
which runs liquor sales in the province. As of last count, there were
242 employees working for the LCBO making $100,000 or more.

On top of these well-paid public servants, the operation owns
impressive real estate and publishes a glossy magazine.

The question, regardless of how well the regime is managed, is why the
government is in the business of doing this in the first place?

The LCBO was created as something of a segue to guide Ontario from
total booze prohibition into the free market. It never made the final
step and is now a bureaucratic empire within government.

It's vital this not happen when it comes to marijuana.

Yes, we will need public servants to monitor and regulate the
industry. We'll also need people working to guarantee public safety
comes first.

Public servants and law enforcement will be the public's frontline
allies in guaranteeing a safe and responsible system. If it's going to
happen - and it is - it needs to be done right.

But that does not mean the feds and provinces should be given carte
blanche to go on a hiring spree.

It's reported the Liberals will leave most of the details up to the
provinces, in the same way alcohol and gaming are currently handled.

There's no need to create new ministries or agencies. Marijuana can be
dealt with in house, by bureaucracies that are already skilled in
dealing with controlled substances.

Canadians across the political spectrum who support legalizing
marijuana do so because they want less government involvement in this
issue, not more.

The state must roll this out responsibly.
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MAP posted-by: Matt