IT’S LEGAL! IT’S TIME TO LEARN ABOUT IT

Our world exists in a constant state of change. Globally, innovation proves to be necessary in order to function in a rapidly developing society. The Canadian government has recently become a leader in carrying a new ideology, being the first G7 country to legalize marijuana. Will the abolishment of this law prove to be beneficial or will it lead to problems down the road the government is unaware of? My name is Caleb Gonsalves and i would like to present my knowledge behind this topic and display both sides equally providing a wide lens of perspective to my reader. My piece sheds light on the facts analyzing the positive economic potential, the possible health risks and how this will impact the illegal drug trade. Don’t get me wrong, there is lots more to discuss beyond my piece. However, i am hoping to begin the conversation in order to widen awareness of the truth behind what we as Canadians must except as our new reality.

Since 1923, Canadian citizens have been strictly prohibited to participate in the consumption of cannabis. This law had previously been firmly enforced by the government until October 17th, 2018. The legalization of weed has created a stir of controversy amongst just about every Canadian citizen. Although David Krayden from CBC news offers a slightly daunting perspective on how the legalization of marijuana can negatively affect us, Ken MacQueen, writer for Maclean’s, delivers a much higher level of persuasion through his ability to touch on multiple angles of the issue’s positive effects.I personally agree with Macqueen’s point of view over Krayden’s because of the numerous benefits that come from the abolishment of this law.

Maclean’s article, why it’s time to legalize marijuana, written by Ken MacQueen, primarily highlights weather or not prohibition of marijuana has lasted too long and, compares the risks and benefits of both marijuana and previously LEGAL substances. MacQueen takes an extremely forward approach explaining how illegal weed is essentially the root to economic problems like in 2002 for example, the annual cost of cannabis to law enforcement and justice systems was roughly three hundred-five hundred million dollars. MacQueen continues explaining that this number seems to be disproportionately high considering the drug’s low risk both socially and physically. He also explains how this law corrupts the police system and the justice system when prosecutors and cops use opportunities to capitalize on the illegality of weed to better their ‘stats’, meaning more money for them. Later in the article, MacQueen analyzes the influence cannabis prohibition has on organized crime, gang violence and overall safety in the streets fueled by turf battles over the illegal drug trade. Finally, the comparison of legal weed to cigarettes and alcohol validates marijuana’s harmlessness.

The celebration nation wide on the date of legalization proves to be caused by an increasing population of frustrated individuals standing behind the use of cannabis. Once the facts were out, Canadians were finally provided with a sense of comfort stemming from the fact that cannabis is not as bad as it has been made out to be in recent years.

Throughout the article, MacQueen successfully convinces the reader of his perspective using a slightly aggressive tone to amplify the importance of the facts. Although he does show his clear bias, he is able to support each statement with the opinion of specific intellectuals and numerical facts. MacQueen (2013) demonstrates this tone when he states, “To have the minister imply a moral equivalency between child sexual abuse and carrying a couple of joints… Underscores the emotionalism clouding the issue.” This assertive tone is most effective as it is right to the point which is necessary for a subject where the truth has been sugar coded since 1923. I personally strongly agree with MacQueen’s point of view because of the progressive ideology he carries. Canadian citizens have lived under a law where a substance is banned that has never had solid scientific evidence as to why. It has also been proven that pot prohibition is in fact costly and ineffective economically. In my own beliefs, people are scared of a change this sizable so, they neglect and lack acceptance towards the topic. However, MacQueen presents multiple reasons as to why the legalization of marijuana is long overdue, and why it will be so beneficial in the long run. One of these reasons being that, “prohibition abdicated responsibility for regulating drug markets to organized crime and abandons public health measures like age restrictions and dosing controls” (MacQueen 2013). At the end of the day Marijuana will be used recreationally or medicinally weather it is legal or not. It is now time to take a step forward with our progressing world, learn how to manage it and learn about the many benefits it carries.

To continue and look at the other side of this issue, CBC news’ article, Canada should not proceed with the legalization of marijuana as planned, written by David Krayden, presents an extremely opinionated argument somewhat scaring the reader of marijuana’s potential defects. One of the first points brought up is how Australian scientist Dr. Stuart Reece was uninvited to address the group of elected representatives on the legalization because of a recent paper he published stating how the use of marijuana could potentially lead to gene mutation and male infertility. Later in the article Krayden discusses the far from precise methods regarding the judgement of impaired driving. He explains how drivers will most likely be judged based on impressions by the police officer which can be extremely difficult when there is no distinct line of what is legal and what is not. Krayden’s views provide a slightly subduing effect through the intensity of the issues he discusses in which he attempts to overpower the logistics of marijuana’s legalization.

Although David Krayden presents extremely relevant points, his writing is not nearly as convincing as MacQueen’s due to his limited perspectives touching on very few of the issues surrounding this topic. His attempt in worrying the reader proves to be an extremely weak approach as he seems to be trying to justify his clear bias through the fear of average civilians. This approach is extremely risky and, proves to be unsuccessful, considering his lack of evidence to support his points. In my opinion, I completely disagree with Krayden’s approach and his ideology on the legalization of cannabis. There is little evidence to support Dr. Stuart Reece’s theory which is the basis of the physical effects backing Krayden’s argument. Also, He attempts to spread concern regarding the impairment while driving however, he bases this on the technology available at the time this article was published. As the world progresses and laws change, our modern science has proven to adapt in these situations and trust of this continuous technological advancement is necessary in moving forward as a society.

Although David Krayden from CBC news offers a slightly daunting perspective on how the legalization of marijuana can negatively affect us, Ken MacQueen, writer for Maclean’s, delivers a much higher level of persuasion through his ability to touch on multiple angles of the issue’s positive effects. MacQueen presents concerns on both sides of the argument and provides reputable evidence to support his opinion. Whereas Krayden attempts to approach his piece with the same strategy but, is unable to provide clear evidence to justify his, what seems to be, inelastic bias. Both of these texts have influenced my opinion on this topic and i hope my analysis of them provided you, the reader, with a little more insight to the conversation.

REFERENCES:

MacQueen, K. (2013). Maclean’s: Why it’s time to legalize marijuana.

Retrieved from www.macleans.ca

Krayden, D. (2018). CBC news: Canada should not proceed with the legalization of marijuana as planned.

Retrieved from www.cbc.ca