Huge opportunity to shift vital resources back into community seems invisible to many.
Chris Nicholas, a lifelong resident of Ottawa currently residing downtown, speaks on the recent ongoing execution of search and arrest warrants on medical marijuana storefronts, the majority of new locations within a walking distance of his apartment in Sandy Hill. Both sides of the argument are considered in the hopes that an agreement can be met so we can better focus on more substantial issues affecting the city.Criticism and discussion welcome and invited:
Alright, I didn't think I'd see this in the news again so soon, although I've seen marijuana laws in Canada in a sort of "limbo" state, between law-makers, law-enforcement, and the courts for my entire adult life. It has been a polarizing topic which sparks criticism and debate from young and old alike, from all walks of life. Opinions vary as widely as the numerous people who have them, and since no group seems to make up a majority, no agency of the law in Canada (law, court, police, parliament) want to make the ultimate decision. Any decision at all would only suit a minority and serve to please a small group, and outrage the majority.
What is certain, is more study and education is required. Laws are exactly what they are, laws, and they are to be followed, by everyone, whether we like it or not. The foundation of democracy is that if most of us really don't like something, we can vote it away. I wish we could all meet on middle ground. I find it hard to believe that allowing registered businesses to openly operate a storefront according to all by-laws and regulations, subject to taxation, just like everybody else, is somehow worse than driving the supply and demand underground and into alleys, in hiding, where we don't know where the revenue goes, who is goes to, and what it's being used for. This is my main gripe with the anti-legalization crowd. Also, the free market is clearly calling for government to deregulate trade, at least with these particular goods, we can surely all agree.
Legalization won't increase demand, the demand is sky high, and has been for decades, and busting up transparent businesses doing everything possible to be seen as legitimate by their peers and communities, will not reduce the supply. You could exterminate all marijuana plants in all of Canada, and it would start arriving from the US, do the same with them, and it will come from Mexico. The public has spoken.
We want our law enforcement and courts focused on dealing with the tremendous spike in gun violence and murder in our fair city, not students who are just trying to pay their way through school, or patients seeking relief from debilitating symptoms, without complications typical of narcotics.
We may never all agree on this topic, but I believe we can all agree on this:
It's time for a final decision.
@ChrisNicholas__ on Twitter