Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Stuart McNish Page: A2 Video: https://vimeo.com/224251051 WEIGHING POT PROS, CONS This week's Conversation that Matters features Anne McLellan, who leads the task force on legalizing marijuana in Canada. She says, "it's a bold move" because Canada becomes the first G-20 country to make pot legal. In doing so, we contravene three UN treaties that control or prohibit access to drugs like marijuana. There are risks and rewards. On the upside, she says, Canada will set the standard internationally and could become the supplier of choice to a growing international medical market, and the government can collect tax. McLellan says, "it's also about safety; right now there are no safeguards, no standards and no inspectors." She points out prohibition hasn't worked for marijuana, in the same way it didn't work for alcohol. On the downside, the U.S., China, India and other nations could restrict trade and the movement of Canadians within their countries in response. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt