“Political language… is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”
– George Orwell
Straight from the horse’s mouth: “The purpose of this Act [Bill C-45, cannabis legalization] is to protect public health and public safety and, in particular…”
Meaning: Damn your BC Bud and individual rights, the reason we’re legalizing cannabis is to:
“(a) protect the health of young persons by restricting their access to cannabis;”
Ensure sick children receive their epilepsy treatment behind a bureaucratic paywall.
“(b) protect young persons and others from inducements to use cannabis;”
Re-spark the DARE and Just Say No campaigns with a 21st-century twist. Continue one of the exact same policies of the Harper government.
“(c) provide for the licit production of cannabis to reduce illicit activities in relation to cannabis;”
Continue with the Harper policy. Award contracts for legal grows to a class of licensed producers. Aim to undermine BC Bud, don’t let them infiltrate.
“(d) deter illicit activities in relation to cannabis through appropriate sanctions and enforcement measures;”
A cop had to have written that. Perhaps a former Toronto police chief. Trudeau should have appointed a BC MP on this one. Replace “appropriate sanctions” with “appropriate regulations” and we’re getting somewhere.
“(e) reduce the burden on the criminal justice system in relation to cannabis;”
Reduction of the criminal justice system? Liberal legalization costs taxpayers money. Police talk about larger budgets and more responsibilities.
So that must mean welcoming British Columbia’s multi-billion “criminal pot industry” into the legal hemisphere, or gassing them out with LP-buy-outs and threats of criminal enforcement.
Unless judicial absolute discharges become the norm for all cannabis convictions, to the point that police action is futile and at odds with the public sentiment — there will be no burden on the criminal justice system.
“(f) provide access to a quality-controlled supply of cannabis;”
It is not the government’s plan to “provide” a service. Their job is to enforce the rules of the game. We provide goods and services to each other by way of mutual trade. Cannabis farmers and vendors agree: Canadians have access to quality cannabis.
The duty to provide even higher quality assurance is a burden placed on civil society. The state’s role concerns itself with the rule of law. Not the micro-management of its citizens’ behaviour and actions.
The ineptness of government bureaucracy vis-a-vis the free market is apparent. Sound economic logic and history demonstrate this.
“(g) enhance public awareness of the health risks associated with cannabis use.”
Seems we’re “liberal” enough to stop this silly cannabis taboo and legalize it. But not without reinforcing these silly taboos to begin with.
Instead of using cannabis taboos to justify prohibition (as Harper did), Trudeau uses it to justify legalization.
The same nonsensical memes.
“Think about the children”
Dangerous, illicit, marijuana-using criminal gangs, profiting by getting your kids high.
BC Bud? Individual rights? The only reason they’re legalizing cannabis is to continually make money fighting the drug war.
The purpose of Bill C45 is unjust.