HARM REDUCTION

Over the past seven days, there have been hundreds of articles, columns and
editorials written across the country about the merits and shortcomings of
the plans to change the federal marijuana laws, most focusing on the harm
that pot possession laws, or the lack of them, cause.

Some argue that criminal records that are currently affixed to minor
possession convictions cause more harm than good, while others contend that
the yet unproven, but possible detrimental health effects of smoking the
drug are where the real harm lies.

However, as with most new legislation proposals, the real debate becomes
one of economics.

Critics of Canada's current marijuana possession legislation argue that the
20,000 to 30,000 annual convictions for possession of tiny amounts of pot
in Canada are an enormous waste of police and court resources, costing
Canadian taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. On the other side of
the debate exists the argument that the possible health effects of
widespread marijuana use could have vast economic implications for our
health care system in the future.

Both arguments, of course, are correct. The police pay undue attention to
the easy mark of the recreational pot smoker, and allowing people to put
even more tar and toxins into their lungs can only increase the demand on
health care.

This is why the current proposed legislation makes so much sense.

The bill before the House of Commons seeks to reduce the fiscal harm caused
by countless minor possession convictions, while increasing education about
the possible harm of the drug, and increasing penalties for large-scale
trafficking and possession. At once, the government is addressing the
current squandering of judicial resources and preparing for the future by
making the message clear that widespread marijuana use will not benefit the
country.

The proposed legislation, if passed, will be a good first step to a more
pragmatic and cost-effective drug policy in Canada. And while the change is
by no means inventive or innovative, it is a sign that our government is
finally waking up to the realities of a stalemated war on drugs.