By
Jon Hiltz
The Canadian Government has begun the
debate for legalized adult-use cannabis. Up until this point, citizens
waited to hear from the feds as progress inched forward, but now, we can
watch history being made in real time.
Not surprisingly, the major criticism of Bill C-45 is coming from the Conservative party.
The bill received its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday and Conservative Member of Parliament Rob Nicholson suggested to forgo the second reading altogether. This motion was due to the bill’s allowance for Canadians to grow up to four plants per household. “Get rid of that whole thing. Get the plants out of people’s houses here. Nobody wants that,” Nicholson demanded.
Another Conservative MP, Marilyn Gladu, said that Canadian adults who grow at home could turn their kids into “drug mules” at school, as they will have easy access to the plant. Another concern from the Conservative Party included the effect it will have on Canadians crossing the border into the United States.
Liberal MP Bill Blair, who is also Canada’s point-man on pot, tried to offer some logic by stating his view of the facts. “It’s a fact our kids are using cannabis at a higher rate than any other country in the world, and the cannabis that they’re using they’re getting from organized crime.”
Thus far, the parties are taking their usual default positions on pot. The Conservatives are completely against legalization because they think it will increase use and availability. The New Democratic Party (NDP) is willing to go along with the bill but they want complete decriminalization immediately and pardons for those with criminal records of possession.
The deluge of comments regarding the legislation did not just remain in our hallowed halls of government. Last Monday, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published an editorial stating that the bill does not protect young people. The article criticized the minimum age of 18 and proposed a ban on homegrown plants.
The debate will continue in House of Commons in the coming days.
Not surprisingly, the major criticism of Bill C-45 is coming from the Conservative party.
The bill received its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday and Conservative Member of Parliament Rob Nicholson suggested to forgo the second reading altogether. This motion was due to the bill’s allowance for Canadians to grow up to four plants per household. “Get rid of that whole thing. Get the plants out of people’s houses here. Nobody wants that,” Nicholson demanded.
Another Conservative MP, Marilyn Gladu, said that Canadian adults who grow at home could turn their kids into “drug mules” at school, as they will have easy access to the plant. Another concern from the Conservative Party included the effect it will have on Canadians crossing the border into the United States.
Liberal MP Bill Blair, who is also Canada’s point-man on pot, tried to offer some logic by stating his view of the facts. “It’s a fact our kids are using cannabis at a higher rate than any other country in the world, and the cannabis that they’re using they’re getting from organized crime.”
Thus far, the parties are taking their usual default positions on pot. The Conservatives are completely against legalization because they think it will increase use and availability. The New Democratic Party (NDP) is willing to go along with the bill but they want complete decriminalization immediately and pardons for those with criminal records of possession.
The deluge of comments regarding the legislation did not just remain in our hallowed halls of government. Last Monday, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published an editorial stating that the bill does not protect young people. The article criticized the minimum age of 18 and proposed a ban on homegrown plants.
The debate will continue in House of Commons in the coming days.
No comments:
Post a Comment