The marijuana legalization issue never gets the nuanced analysis it really deserves. Despite not being a consumer myself, I am fully in favour of the legalization of marijuana and helped write the Federal Liberal legalization policy back in 2011 (Yes, well before Trudeau was leader, it was official LPC policy).
The reasons I support it are simple:
- Takes profits away from organized crime.
- Tax revenue similar to cigarettes can help provide valuable government services.
- Quality control due to health regulations. What the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 did for beer, we need for pot.
- Economic boost. Look at Colorado where businesses have sprung up. Not just dispensaries, but bakeries, manufacturers, and even a major boom to the security companies for guarding the stores & warehouses as well as transporting product.
- I'd rather have the police focusing their limited resources on more important things, such as finding this local arsonist in Victoria and protecting the citizens in the downtown core at night rather than busting some young man for having a joint on him.
- And finally the Libertarian argument: I believe it is up to you as a human being to decide if you want to consume a product that is frankly less harmful than alcohol.
For more on the origins of the LPC policy and my personal involvement, check out this article.
Edited by AndrewReeve, 24 August 2014 - 05:33 PM.