DEBATE POT LEGALIZATION

CANADA has dipped its toe into the renewed debate over how dangerous
marijuana is and how useful are laws that make possession and selling of
the drug criminal acts. Some politicians and lobby groups are pushing for
the decriminalization of pot use, and a Commons committee is looking at
that possibility. Many who are knowledgeable about the drug and its effects
point to the overwhelming evidence about the lack of harm caused by pot,
that it is generally less harmful than alcohol and tobacco.

The more relevant question than whether to decriminalize, then, might be:
Why not debate legalization and regulation?

Studies published this week indicate that medicinal cannabinoids --
cannabis in pill or injectable form -- do not do a good job of relieving
pain for sick people.

Cannabis has long been recognized for its ability to relieve pain, nausea
and suppression of appetite for those who are ill, or undergoing medical
therapy.

But because it is illegal, researchers, policy formulators and politicians
are struggling to build a better mouse trap. Again, more relevant than
asking how to create an effective synthetic marijuana might be: Why is the
better alternative not simply legalized and regulated?

Courts over the last decades have responded appropriately to the evidence
that marijuana is relatively harmless, registering conditional or absolute
discharges for simple possession cases.

Parliament in 1997 put simple possession (under 30 grams) of marijuana
under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which makes it a summary
conviction, with a criminal record that is difficult to find. Meanwhile,
marijuana's illegal status has continued to feed a black market, which
breeds all of the bad consequences society is rightly concerned about, most
apparent of which is the vast legal apparatus required to police the vast
illegal trade and the dealers who prey upon young people.

In a recent British Columbia possession case, judges found the evidence
bore out that moderate use of marijuana holds little harm, except that one
should not drive, fly a plane or operate machinery while under its
influence as it does have passing physical effects.

This sounds strikingly similar to the effects of alcohol.

How many Canadians would argue that drinking and selling alcohol should be
a criminal offence?

Millions of Canadians are smoking pot, more have at some time in their
lives, and use is increasing among young people.

All are guilty of a federal offence.

The majority of these people have not jeopardized their health, but their
social habits have fuelled an underground industry tied to truly harmful
activities. That is criminal.

Canadians should ask why pot is illegal.

Parliament, on behalf of Canadians, should weigh the evidence on the harm
of marijuana, talk about the benefits and risks of making it legal and come
to conclusions that are relevant.