Pubdate: Tue, 12 Sep 2017
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2017 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Author: Wayne Carver
Page: A11

THE WELL-CONNECTED READY TO CASH IN

Many involved in marijuana production are former civil servants,
federal and provincial politicians

In anticipation of the impending approval of the marijuana legislation
at the federal level, the province is now soliciting suggestions on
how best to implement the roll out procedure for the sale and
distribution of marijuana in this province.

How magnanimous is that gesture? The infrastructure is all in place,
monies have been loaned, properties have been acquired and several
government sponsored marijuana-growing operations are now in production.

In fact, many of those involved in the production of marijuana are
former high-ranking civil servants, former members of legislative
assemblies and even former members of Parliament. It has been reported
that the former chief financial officer to the Liberal Party of Canada
during the last election, when Trudeau promised to legalize marijuana
and regulate it, was indeed a co-founder of Tweed, a marijuana
manufacturer in Ontario.

It seems that everything is ready to go. The market has been
identified and shares are being traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX)WEED. Licensed Producers AB Laboratories Inc., part of Invictus
MD, JWC Ltd. and P.E.I.'s Canada's Island Garden are ready to sell
distinct batch cannabis through Tweed Main St. of Smith Falls Ont., to
50,000 registered patients according to recent reports. All that
remains is to convince the public that we need this, that it is a good
thing and beneficial to society. To do this government is now
soliciting the views of the general public on how we should distribute
the product. How hypocritical. Just how hollow are we?

Most people realize and accept that there is a need for medicinal
marijuana. To have our elected officials shove it down our throats
because they might have the opportunity to enhance their own financial
position is another matter. If there are only 50,000 registered
patients nationally, then the tax windfall anticipated by many
provinces will hardly be noticeable. To have greater tax revenues we
need greater sales. Who will become the new consumers? Most citizens
do not expect to send their Member of Parliament to Ottawa to have
them initiate legislation that would allow their children access to
mind altering drugs at any age. One questions whether or not there
might be a conflict of interest here, as well as a sense of insider
trading?

This is a prime example of top down governance. In the rush to get the
legislation passed it seems we have overlooked the logistics of
distribution as well as the costs associated with addiction,
enforcement, rehabilitation and most importantly who will be in a
position the authorize the use of cannabis and in what circumstances.
The Canadian Medical Association has shown a reluctance to get
involved in this matter from the beginning and has stated marijuana
should not be used by anyone under the age of 25 years.

And all this is being done to keep the sale of marijuana out of the
hands of organized crime? We need a rethink - don't you think?
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt