If prohibitionists justify alcohol and nicotine control due to a “think of the children” factor, then, by the same logic, caffeine should fall under the same category.
Caffeine is far more dangerous than cannabis, and when prohibitionist Pamela McColl was put on the spot over this issue, she was unable to convey a rational answer.
About 65 per cent of Canadians drink coffee on a daily basis. Coffee and caffeine consumption is widely promoted, the iconic Tim Hortons has become part of Canadiana.
Caffeinated energy drinks are available at local convenience stores. Minors are allowed to consume energy drinks and coffee.
This, in spite of how caffeine withdrawal invokes headaches, insomnia and anxiety.
Too much of caffeine raises your blood pressure and enough of it will kill you. It can’t be very good for a developing person.
But, other than your typical commercial regulations, the federal government does not aim to “restrict” and regulate caffeine.
The Ontario government already uses taxpayer resources to distribute liquor, and it has failed to eradicate underage drinking. Adding caffeine to a pile of duties is counterproductive and wasteful.
Any Canadian prohibitionist concerned with cannabis but not coffee is being inconsistent.
If cannabis legalization is inevitable and to be conducted by rational adults, that is, not prone to emotional outbursts that undermine peaceful conflict resolution, then it’d best to reject this “think of the children” argument lock, stock and barrel.
Every child has a parent or guardian. These are the people whose job it is to educate “the children” about drug use, just like how we trust them to educate about safe sex or driving a car.
Prohibitionists act like children exist in a vacuum, that there no other factors in place to protect kid safety other than the heavy hand of the regulating state.
If prohibition has taught us anything, it’s that passing legislation creates unintended consequences. All Trudeau’s legalization will do is ensure the black market for teenagers still exists.
Restricting and regulating cannabis because of the children is a fallacy. Caffeine is far more dangerous than cannabis has ever been. Where’s the outrage about coffee?
Unless it’s not about the substance.
The defenders of Trudeau legalization use children as a means to an end. Those who are often the biggest proponents of something are also the worst practitioners.
Ignoring the Kantian precept that all men and women should be viewed as ends in themselves, not means to an end, the prohibitionists have wrongfully assumed a moral high ground.
Unless they’re willing to throw out the last few centuries of Western philosophy and its contributions to a freer society, it would be wise for the prohibitionists to calm down.
They are using “children” as a means to an end, undermining parental authority, and spewing logical fallacies in order to ensure legal cannabis is dominated by a few large licensed profiteers.
What the hell is wrong with these people?