Pubdate: Fri, 22 Jun 2018
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2018 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286

POLITICIANS STILL THINK YOU'RE TOO IRRESPONSIBLE TO REALLY DESERVE LEGAL 
MARIJUANA

They might be reluctantly legalizing cannabis. But they'll never stop
thinking they know better than us how we should live

The Canadian government announced this week that marijuana would be
legal for recreational in just under four months, by Oct. 17, 2018.
The intervening time will be used to get legal distribution networks
established and give provinces and police forces time to prepare for
the transition.

And, the government probably hopes, for Canadians to decide they're
not so into this marijuana stuff, after all.

Even as the federal Liberal government took the welcome and long
overdue step of legalizing the relatively harmless drug (no worse than
alcohol, certainly, and in some ways, less damaging), it was still
showing how disappointed it was that Canadians would be interested in
the first place. According to the government, legalization isn't
happening because marijuana is already used responsibly by millions of
Canadians who are forced into a black market. It's about protecting
children and hurting organized crime. Prepare for dreary, heavy-handed
"educational campaigns." One gets the distinct feeling that the feds
would just as soon no one ever again enjoys the product they just made
legal.

One gets the distinct feeling that the feds would just as soon no one
ever again enjoys the product they just made legal

Most provinces are no better. In general, the western ones and
Newfoundland have the better idea in allowing private-sector
distribution (albeit with strict regulation). Meanwhile, Quebec says
it will fight in the courts to prevent Canadians from growing any
cannabis at home for personal use, which is permitted under the
federal law. The reason? Health and safety, of course, as well as
protecting children.

Ontario, where voters just elected a new government, had been the hope
for a properly liberalized model. Incoming premier Doug Ford had said
previously that he supported a free-market approach for legalized
cannabis, but on Thursday, was distressingly hesitant. Saying he
needed time to consult with his caucus and with municipalities, Ford
told the media, "This is a road that we have to tread carefully." He
added, "My priority is to make sure we protect the children. That's a
number-one priority."

That hardly sounds like the cry of the free marketer Ford has
portrayed himself to be. He sounded rather more like the Liberal
premier he's soon to replace, reluctantly admitting that while adults
are permitted to make their own choices, it would really be better if
we were as well-behaved as our government wants us to be.

In that respect, Ford is all too typical of our political class. They
might be reluctantly legalizing cannabis. But they'll never stop
thinking they know better than us how we should live.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt