Articles of the Month

Decriminalization of Marijuana

"Weed, "Cannabis", "Happy Grass", whatever you want o call it, is a hot topic these days. In very few places has the debate been hotter than Canada's most western province, B.C., particularly B.C.'s youth. Currently in B.C., bust of household grow operations or "grow-ops" is common, however, these are on a large scale and the individual caught with Marijuana will often not even receive a warning or even confiscation. Since use of Marijuana in its many forms is primarily youth, most of the support within Canada is from persons between 14-25 it seems. They have essentially two main arguments, which are;

a) it's already so common with little enforcement of drug laws

b) a safer and regulated product would be available.

Many would also argue for the medicinal value the Marijuana allegedly contains. Pro-posers feel that the drug will mask pain, and few disagree. With this argument for legislation even many doctors are aboard. The last of the common arguments, a person can find is that freedom of it, and besides, like smoking it would be a huge source of taxation funds for provinces across Canada.

The argument of freedom of choice is the first statement opposers will often attack. Is freedom of choice a right when it comes to drugs? Marijuana does have population affecting side effect in the form of second hand smoke. To this many pro-posers would suggest a bar-like setting similar to that of alcohol and then use pre-existing smoking laws of the individual city for outdoor consumption. Many opposers would often argue that a safer regulated supply of Marijuana is actually bad for Canada as it would be more accessible to young persons much like alcohol.

Medically, few deny the beneficial side of Marijuana but some groups are still questioning it. VGH (Vancouver General Hospital) employee educator, Lesley Nicholson feels the damage Marijuana poses to your brain greatly out weighs that of the pain that is hidden by the Marijuana and that itself can pose future medical complications such as cancer due to the lack of filter and many of the unknowingly used chemicals found in Marijuana.

The unique perspective on legalization of growing Marijuana comes from B.C. where the industry is considered to be the 2nd largest industry in the province within the economic slump currently faced many believe that the taxation power would be enough to legalize it, for better or worse.

In a pole of 50 youth from across Canada, currently staying at the Terry Fox Centre in Ottawa, 8% were undecided on the general legalization of pot. Below the pollers expectation, only 14% of the students were in support. Those that did support are basing their decision on the fact the cigarettes are legal but Marijuana is not. There was an equal amount of people saying either legalization will increase or decrease use. Within B.C. support would be believed to be higher than most provinces, and some eastern provinces would have it lower.

Legalization of Marijuana is a hot issue with much to learn and the individual person is responsible to make their educated decision.