The prohibition of cannabis … “is it worth it – or can we do better by trying something else?”

BC's #1 cash crop -- BC Bud

“There's nothing conservative about banning pot” … so says Doctor Evan Wood in a November 29^th story in the Province newspaper.  I am going to pull several of his comments from the story … however I would recommend that you do read the full story.  Please note, Dr. Wood is a professor of medicine at the University of BC, and a member of Stop the Violence BC.

Imagine an extremely expensive government policy proven to be completely ineffective at achieving its stated objectives. Consider also that whenever this policy is subjected to any kind of impact assessment, the government's own data clearly show that the policy has been ineffective, expensive and fuelled the growth of organized crime. Finally, imagine this remark-able set of circumstances persisting for decades - at great cost to taxpayers and community safety - and yet elected officials say and do nothing to address the status quo.

Does this sound like something most conservative-minded voters would support? Sadly, you don't have to imagine. This policy is marijuana prohibition and it is an unfortunate legacy for conservatives that we have consistently elected right-ward leaning politicians who have been among the strongest defenders of our failed anti-marijuana laws.

The laws of supply and demand, which free-market conservatives hold dear, explain the ongoing warfare between drug cartels, including those operating in the Lower Mainland.  Marijuana prohibition is their biggest cash cow and they have repeatedly shown their willingness to resort to extreme violence to gain or maintain market share.

While a commitment to stronger families is a conservative value often cited to support marijuana prohibition, the policy clearly can-not be credited with helping young families.

Ironically, based on traditional conservative values of family, government accountability and fiscal restraint, B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Cummins should be the first to join the Fraser Institute in supporting a taxation and regulation strategy. The conservative think tank's 2004 report concluded that if we treat marijuana "like any other commodity we can tax it, regulate it, and use the resources the industry generates rather than continue a war against consumption and production that has long since been lost."

That's conservative thinking that British Columbians from across the political spectrum should support.

Click HERE to read the full story:

There is no doubt that Dr. Wood has put together compelling information that says we are fighting a battle that can’t be won … and that we are far better to control production and distribution of marijuana – and tax it for the benefit of all British Columbians (as we do with alcohol and tobacco.

But what do others have to say?

In a report entitled, Cannabis, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Canada, from Here to Help, they had the following conclusion:

The harms, risks and social costs of alcohol, cannabis and tobacco vary greatly. A lot has to do with how the substances are handled legally. Alcohol and tobacco are legal substances, which explain their low enforcement costs relative to cannabis. On the other hand, the health costs per user of tobacco and alcohol are much higher than for cannabis. This may indicate that cannabis use involves fewer health risks than alcohol or tobacco. These variations in risk, harms and costs need to be taken into account as we think about further efforts to deal with the use of these three substances in Canada. Efforts to reduce social costs related to cannabis, for example, will likely involve shifting its legal status by decriminalizing casual use, to reduce the high enforcement costs. Such a shift may be warranted given the apparent lower health risk associated with most cannabis use.

In a 2008 report by Mark Haden, of Vancouver Coastal Health, provided the following information on how tax dollars dealing with illegal drugs are spent:  … 73% on enforcement ... 14% on treatment ... 3% on prevention ... and 3% on harm reduction.

For every $1 dollar we spend on the effects, causes, health care need of those using drugs --- we spend $3 dollars in prevention, policing, the courts, and other legal enforcement costs.

The information gathered also showed there was half a billion dollars being spent in Canada each year by agencies and departments dealing with illegal drug use

He also found that of the 50,000 people charged with drug offenses … two thirds were for possession and / or distribution of marijuana. 

That’s over thirty three thousand (33,333) people who end up using the resources of our police forces … the courts and legal staff … administrative people … and on and on.

According to a number of sources … cannabis is the #1 revenue generator in British Columbia!  In fact a 2004 report from the Fraser Institute said marijuana was a $2 billion dollar EXPORT industry in BC.  The said it could generate $2 billion in tax revenues in Canada alone (that must be compared I would guess to tax levels of alcoholic and cigarettes).  This report from the Fraser Institutes study went on to say that “… cannabis market should be taxed to remove the illegal income from organized crime and create and additional revenue source for government.”

Okay … so we know there are costs involved in preventing and treating those who use marijuana … but what about the illegal grow-ops?

“ Marihuana grow operations (MGO’s) pose a serious threat to Canadians, the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers fighting against these illegal operations,” said Shelly Glover, Member of Parliament for St. Boniface on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. “The Government of Canada is taking action to combat illicit marihuana cultivation in Canada, as well the organized crime elements behind it.”

“MGOs harm communities. Wherever they exist, there’s the potential for an increase in criminal activity and a greater chance of fire, explosions, and violence,” stated RCMP A/Commr. Mike Cabana. “This initiative is part of the RCMP’s renewed commitment and priority to combat marihuana production controlled by organized crime groups.”

That’s right --- we also have to be concerned about the organized crime groups that control the drug trade in British Columbia! 

Here is more of what Dr. Evan Wood had to say:
“There’s a huge problem that nobody, particularly political and other leaders in B.C., is talking about, and that is the link between cannabis prohibition and organized crime.  The gang warfare that’s playing out on our streets is a natural consequence of cannabis prohibition.”

And Supt. Pat Fogarty, the office in charge of the Organized Crime Branch of B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit was also quoted in a CBC News story saying that … the best-known gangs are not necessarily the most dangerous or most powerful … the drug trade is their major area of operation for most criminal gangs, but they go where the money is.  "This is business to them.”

BC’s Solicitor-General Shirley Bond is not ready, at least for the moment, to look at or think about any changes enforcement, legalization, or controlled sale of marijuana:  "Any thought of decriminalizing marijuana is certainly a federal issue. I can simply say that it is not on our agenda, we are not looking at any changes in British Columbia. We're going to continue to concentrate on serious crime in this province, focusing on gangs and guns, and very often we do see a relationship between large marijuana grow ops and organized crime."

She is right of course … this is a federal matter.  It is also one however that I believe has a greater impact on the provinces because of the costs and results of the drug trade … enforcement … health care … child care protection … unemployment … spousal abuse … and?????

I wondered what other people were thinking about this topic ... and about the story from Dr. Wood’s on the failed attempt to stop the growth, distribution and sale of marijuana.  I asked for your thoughts ... and here are the comments of what some of you had to say:

Commenter One:
The problem with those who advocate legalizing pot is that we'll get buried in cocaine.  The vast majority of pot grown in this province gets shipped south of the border and is sold for cocaine, which is smuggled north.  With access to inexpensive legal pot, the cross border traffic in cocaine will increase dramatically .

Commenter Two:
I don't know which way is best for the pot question, there are good pros and good cons. I am only glad I don’t have to be the one to decide.  I wonder if Dr. Wood would say the same about failed gun control legislation! Governments of all creeds are famous for backing something that doesn't work, if only in their minds, to save face.  We all know probation didn't work. But I again wonder if all factions of the law does all it can to quell drugs, or are drugs a make work program for them.  Just my thoughts

I replied to the writer saying … Thanks for taking the time to respond.  I have received several interesting comments. I think this is an issue that is going to have to be faced sooner than later I believe ... so why not have the discussion now, and perhaps even go to a federal referendum??

He replied … Seeing as how we live in a democracy, a referendum seems like the best way to come to a decision.

One of the most interesting comments came from former Reform MP Jim Hart. 

Hi Alan,

 

This is an interesting debate. You may not know this but back when I was in parliament I introduced a Private Members Bill that, if drawn from the lottery system, would have legalized Medical Marijuana. 

We have gotten by this issue now and licenses are available in Canada for those wanting a choice for medication. Some smoke it but as I know many use it in the form that is known as Marijuana Butter. Spread it on toast to control the pain or effects related to many cancers.

Problems still exist for people with this as many doctors will not give patients a prescription for medical marijuana - as they do not want to put their medical license on the line if anything goes wrong. Strange as they have no problem prescribing pain killers that are addictive and do more damage medically.

In any event, the criminals do control this cash crop, and not unlike the days of alcohol prohibition, it will come to a time when these laws cannot be enforced. In fact I believe that police turn a blind eye now to minor pot infractions it takes the courts time, and eat up limited resources.

I do not disagree with the Vancouver Mayors and I see the Feds position out of touch with what local politicians face with this issue.

The most effective government is one that is closest to the people. I think the conservative position is out of touch with the local issue and should maybe have a serious meeting with mayors across the country to get a real read on this issue.

I must say I am in more favour of decriminalize, move toward legalization, regulate, and tax the heck out of the legal product.

Legalization does not mean that usage or marijuana will go up, in fact the numbers of cigarette smokers is going down, it would put many criminals out of business. I would argue this is the best time in history to legalize marijuana with the public being more in tune with health and fitness issues.

By the way I am a non-smoker, and legal or not legal the way I raised my kids and our discussions regarding drugs would have been the same regardless of marijuana being illegal or legal; similar to my discussion with teenagers about alcohol.

Unfortunately, Conservatives will lose votes on this issue with many younger voters as we continue to talk about on-line voting and getting younger voters involved Federal Conservatives are wearing blinders on this one. 

Jim

Here are a few more that came in …

Commenter Four:
The "Harper government" is doing and has done many things that I like but I can't figure out why on earth they insist on keeping on hitting their head against the wall. This is a total waste of time and money while they could be collecting taxes on our biggest crop !

Alan Forseth:  I am inclined to think the same way as well.  I wonder though where they would draw the line on what drug(s) to have available legally. This story speaks only to Pot...???

Commenter Five:
I agree that it needs to be an employment and tax generator. It will never go away. It is only considered a "gateway" drug due to being illegal, non-regulated and labelled as such. Alcohol is a drug but not labelled as such. Time to change but we need the Americans to do the same. They are the unmentioned gorilla in the corner that really keeps people from pursuing this further (in my opinion).  A North American Marijuana Strategy might be key to success, but good luck working with the US on this .

Alan Forseth:   Good point on the United States ... and one that would have to be considered for sure. Given the drug wars in Mexico as well that country definitely cannot be ignored either

Response from Commenter #5:
I think Mexico would love to take this out of the Cartel funding equation as well, but depend to heavily on the USA .

Commenter #6:
So we should just legalize it? Probably should just legalize cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, because it's also widely available. Laws need reforming, but that's not the same as legalizing it.

Alan Forseth:  I am getting some interesting personal messages, as well as emails on this.  I am of the opinion that we would be better off to legalize ... but as you say --- then what's next

Commenter #7:
Alan, I have read the article and, being as soundly conservative as anyone, I am still inclined to agree with the article. Prohibition did not work with alcohol, and doesn't seem to have worked with Pot. Perhaps it is time to take another look, because the present grow-ops seem to be consistently aligned with guns, violence and abundant money. Would legalizing and taxing make a difference? Perhaps. May be worth looking at.

I am certain that this is a conversation that will continue to grow as more and more people look at the results that have been achieved (or not achieved) in the prohibition of cannabis, and begin to ask … “is it worth it – or can we do better by trying something else”

Shirley Bond is right in saying this is a federal matter --- but the province can have a huge say in whether cannabis should be legalized and have controlled sale and taxation.

This morning Tom Fletcher had a story in BC Local News, “Court system close to collapse”.   Here is part of what that story had to say:

Drug dealers are walking free, NDP leader Adrian Dix reminded Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond in the final question period. Dix referred to a Prince George case this fall where a convicted cocaine dealer racked up more trafficking charges while he was on trial, and then was released because he couldn’t be tried in a timely fashion.

The NDP was picking up on an unusually political speech last week by B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman. Speaking to the annual B.C. judges’ conference in Las Vegas, Bauman warned that funding cuts have the B.C. court system “going over a cliff in slow motion.”

The cuts are real. By next year, court service budgets are expected to be down 10 per cent since 2008, and staff down 15 per cent. The provincial court is down 17 judges from 2005. There aren’t enough clerks. And the federal government is about to push through new sentencing guidelines that will add more inmates to B.C.’s overflowing prison system.

Do we need to legalize production, distribution and sale of marijuana??  I don’t know.  What I do know however is that what we are currently doing is failing miserably. 

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … with the thoughts of one conservative.

If you would like to find out more, here are a few studies and stories you may be interested in reading:

There's nothing conservative about banning pot

The Cost of Substance Abuse in Canada (March 2006)

Gang violence fuelled by pot prohibition, report says

Former Vancouver Mayors Urge Politicians to Reconsider Marijuana Laws and Stop Gang Violence

Video: Stop the Violence BC – The link between cannabis prohibition and organized crime

RCMP:  What is the marihuana grow initiative

Notorious gangs of British Columbia