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?