CANADIANS DESERVE SMART DEBATE ON DRUGS

I n the grand scheme of things, marijuana policy isn't likely to bring
about a change of government.

Despite surveys showing a majority of Canadians approve legalizing
possession of small amounts of pot, the law isn't changing any time
soon.

But that hasn't stopped advocates from pressuring the prime minister
on the subject, nor has it prohibited, pardon the pun, Stephen Harper
from sounding like an early-1900s social reformer trying to ban the
demon drink.

Marijuana prohibition was the hottest topic among the questions
submitted prior to the PM's YouTube interview last week, and he was
gracious enough to give an answer.

But instead of coming off with the intelligence he's known for, or
even as the master obfuscator he has become, Harper hilariously
morphed into Mr. Mackey, the guidance counsellor from the
rabble-rousing animated showSouth Park.

"The reason drugs are illegal is because they are bad," he said, after
a preamble about his kids, and completely negating studies that show
marijuana really isn't all that harmful.

He went on to comment on how drugs are controlled by evil foreign
cartels, and even if they were legalized, they would never be a
respectable business.

If respectability were such a concern, it's a wonder he hasn't taken a
run at the tobacco industry, porn or payday loan companies.

But hey, he's a conservative politician preaching a law and order
agenda. No one can be all that surprised.

What's galling about all this is the utter condescension shown the
reasonable opinion of a majority of Canadians.

But he's in good company.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, who as an Ivy League egghead
probably saw enough trust fund babies find success while doing far
worse than smoking pot, laughably told a group of high school kids
they're practically pointing a loaded gun at their heads by lighting
up a "marijuana cigarette."

The least these two supposedly smart men could try to offer, in
defending their positions on the matter, is some actual intelligent
debate, rather than talking to Canadians as if they were their
pre-teen children.

It's one thing to offer a kid a rote response, but adults deserve
better.