Pubdate: Wed, 01 Nov 2017
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Page: A6

DAZED AND CONFUSED

Most Canadians are in favour of legalizing marijuana and for many
different reasons.

Little Kyla Williams in Summerland became a poster child across North
America for the benefits of medical cannabis.

Recreational users affirm that pot is less harmful than alcohol. (Most
cops agree that drunks are far harder to deal with than stoners.)

A suggestion by the Green Party is to take distribution out of the
control of organized crime and tax it like they do for alcohol and
tobacco. A portion of tax collected can then be directed for education
and treatment programs for those who become addicted.

Prohibition clearly hasn't worked.

There's also evidence to suggest the marijuana industry will create
thousands of legal, good paying jobs in Canada.

The Liberal government announcement has thrilled the movement for
legal cannabis.

Although the plan is good, the implementation isn't going smoothly and
has garnered a great deal of criticism.

Memo to the federal government: if you're going to do it, do it
properly.

Municipalities up and down the Okanagan Valley - and probably all
across Canada - don't really know how to handle this.

Police forces, border security, and doctors are all in the same
predicament.

Should anyone who applies for a licence to sell marijuana be granted
one? It should be remembered that pot can be harmful, especially to
the teenaged brain.

Pharmacies would be an appropriate place to purchase marijuana, but
chances are the major chains don't want to go there.

Strict guidelines on advertising and corporate sponsorship must be
established, similar to what's done with tobacco.

When it was announced that Canada would lead the way in safe and legal
cannabis, we never anticipated the large number of
uncertainties.

Much needs to be determined if this will indeed become a reality by
July 2018.

In the meantime, the lack of clarity leaves the public dazed and
confused.

- -James Miller Valley Editor
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MAP posted-by: Matt