Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2017
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Guy Bowie
Page: A16

NEW POT LAW WILL FAIL IN ITS OBJECTIVES

Re Legal pot set to cost $10 a gram, Dec. 12

It is clear that the legalization of marijuana will fail its stated
objectives and we are on track for another costly boondoggle that will
implicate the health and well-being of Canadian society for many years
to come.

The stated objectives are to keep cannabis out of the hands of
children and to keep profits out of the hands of organized crime.
Legalization will achieve neither. Legalizing something legitimizes
it. Children will now see marijuana as a safe legal product denied to
them only due to their age.

Organized crime will continue to thrive. Government-controlled growers
and distributors, burdened with regulations, will be unable to compete.

Most Canadians were comfortable with decriminalizing marijuana. No one
wants to see young people get felony convictions for simple possession.

Instead, we are now faced with a costly bureaucracy and government
machine churning away while some people get rich and our society is
left with managing the negative aspects of another potential social
problem.

Guy Bowie, Toronto
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MAP posted-by: Matt