Legalize Cannabis – Centre for addiction and mental health study concludes!

October 2014 Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) released a an evidence based study called Cannabis Framework Policy.

The CAMH study like so many other past evidence based drug policy studies(1) conclusions lead to prohibition of cannabis is a seriously flawed drug control policy. Legalizing cannabis will not only greatly reduce harm to our families and communities but will allow for a much safer way to actually have some control with regulations.
No need to reinvent the wheel either. Copy the beer and wine regulations. Selling on a commercial level the products provided are regulated the same as beer and wine are now. The regulations allow people to produce their own beer and wine while also providing for private for profit businesses to sell regulated products produced in a regulated commercial facility.
Advertising in the media shouldn’t be allowed. Stop allowing alcohol advertising would also help reduce the harm caused from irresponsible use of alcohol products.
Hyper over regulation and or taxation is not the answer either if we really want to gain more control. Avoiding over regulation and or taxation will help reduce the violent criminal gangs current complete control of the cannabis market.
Educate with only evidence based facts starting with cannabis is a safer recreational drug then alcohol, coffee and many other currently legal substances.
Then use the huge amount of law enforcement resources that would become available to be more proactive in stopping crimes then just reactive after people have become victims of harm from another. Colorado has shown huge increase of tax revenue, a reduction in crime and law enforcement costs.
(1) Back to Top
Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Getting To Tomorrow: A Report on Canadian Drug Policy – 2013
http://drugpolicy.ca/progress/getting-to-tomorrow/
The report of the RSA Commission on Illegal Drugs, Communities and Public Policy. Final report: Drugs facing facts – March 2007
http://www.rsadrugscommission.org/
Canadian Public Health Association 2007 Resolutions
http://www.cpha.ca/uploads/resolutions/2007_e.pdf
The Fraser Institute – Vancouver B.C. Marijuana Growth in British Columbia – May 2004
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/commerce.web/product_files/Marijuana.pdf
Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs – 2002
http://norml.ca/senate-report/
The Le Dain Commission Report 1972
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/ledain/ldctoc.html

Shaffer Commission report March 1970

http://www.druglibrary.org/Schaffer/Library/studies/nc/ncmenu.htm

The La Guardia Committee Report – 1944
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/lag/lagmenu.htm

 

Media stories:
Marijuana should be legalized with strict controls to curb its use and social harms, the Toronto-based Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says.
CBC News October 9, 2014
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/camh-calls-for-legalization-of-marijuana-1.2793460
The Inside Agenda Blog
CAMH Backs Legalized Marijuana
Sandra Gionas, October 9, 2014
http://theagenda.tvo.org/blog/agenda-blogs/camh-backs-legalized-marijuana