Federal Liberals hope to turn legalization of pot into a wedge issue

[Moviefan-2]

It seems the Liberals and NDP have engaged in some weed wars.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...-stand-on-pot-in-time-for-420/article2409578/

While the story focuses on NDP leader Tom Mulcair's position, I thought the most interesting point was this one:

Alyx Holland, national director of the Young Liberals ... acknowledged that Liberals see potential for turning marijuana into a wedge issue that will benefit her party among youth voters.

Meanwhile, I'm getting a case of the munchies.

 

[MattRoxx]

For fucks sake

“No,” Mr. Mulcair said then. “I think that would be a mistake because the information that we have right now is that the marijuana that's on the market is extremely potent and can actually cause mental illness.”

Mulcair needs better information instead of this crazy propaganda bullsh1t.

 

[blackrock13]

“No,” Mr. Mulcair said then. “I think that would be a mistake because the information that we have right now is that the marijuana that's on the market is extremely potent and can actually cause mental illness.”

For fucks sake
Mulcair needs better information instead of this crazy propaganda bullsh1t.

What exactly does he have wrong?

 

[rafterman]

That mj causes mental illness.

 

[blackrock13]

That mj causes mental illness.

The word 'cause' can mean so much, but unless the accumulated research form various sources that shows use can 'contribute' to mental health issues are all wrong, then he's wrong only by degree.

I'm no expert, as I haven't smoked it for years, for all sorts of reasons, but I've spoken to many who have had these exact problems when they did and they all disappeared when they stopped.

I take it you don't believe the science.

 

[Moviefan-2]

What exactly does he have wrong?

I can't remember. :hippie:

 

[blackrock13]

I can't remember. :hippie:

lol!

 

[K Douglas]

That mj causes mental illness.

That may or may not be true but one thing I know for sure - that those you have a mental defect worsen their state by smoking pot.

 

[MattRoxx]

What exactly does he have wrong?

Marijuana does not cause mental illness or our hospitals would be filled with mentally ill people suffering from cannabis intoxication or delusion or whatever mental illness condition it's supposed to cause. This is simply the latest attempt at reefer madness now that it can no longer be claimed that marijuana is the evil gateway drug.

It is very sad that this is the new NDP policy, because Jack Layton was in favour of legalization.

What's mentally ill is the current gov't policy. Around 40 years ago the LeDain commission studied this matter and said it should be legalized. Then again in 2002
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/371/ille/press/04sep02-e.htm

Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs

The Canadian Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs went on the road in May and June 2002 to find out what Canadians think about the legalization of marijuana in Canada.

A discussion paper released by the Senate committee says that marijuana should be treated more like tobacco than like harder drugs. The Senate committee also says marijuana is not a "gateway drug," and does not lead to the use of harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Mental illness is a label that should be put on anyone in gov't or the justice system wanting to continue the status quo for marijuana but expecting something to change among users and suppliers.

 

[blackrock13]

Marijuana does not cause mental illness or our hospitals would be filled with mentally ill people suffering from cannabis intoxication or delusion or whatever mental illness condition it's supposed to cause. This is simply the latest attempt at reefer madness now that it can no longer be claimed that marijuana is the evil gateway drug.

It is very sad that this is the new NDP policy, because Jack Layton was in favour of legalization.

What's mentally ill is the current gov't policy. Around 40 years ago the LeDain commission studied this matter and said it should be legalized. Then again in 2002
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/371/ille/press/04sep02-e.htm


Mental illness is a label that should be put on anyone in gov't or the justice system wanting to continue the status quo for marijuana but expecting something to change among users and suppliers.

I think we've already agreed it doesn't 'cause' mental illness, see post #5, but can contribute to it's occurrence/severity. There's little doubt in that.

There is such a differece between legalizing or decriminalizing and that's where people in Canada have a different opinion. Even the new Conservative crime bill is being soft pedaled by them now when challenged on the severity of penalty for possession of a few plant compared to other crimes. Tey really start to sound like idiots when they argue about the size of the plnts versus the numbers of plants.

The mj that the commission was asked to rule on was so different than today and should only be taken as a guideline value and not definite.

The quote offered was only part of a fuller statement which wasn't so clearly against.

 

[wigglee]

there are plenty of people I've known who had issues that required some form of medication and pot was the best and least harmful of them. They actually coped and led productive lives and without pot would probable have been destroyed by booze or hard drugs or addicted to pharmaceuticals like oxy.

 

[blackrock13]

there are plenty of people I've known who had issues that required some form of medication and pot was the best and least harmful of them. They actually coped and led productive lives and without pot would probable have been destroyed by booze or hard drugs or addicted to pharmaceuticals like oxy.

Something tells they're aren't told to go out toke their brains out whenever they want to and are asked about any preconditions that might affect this medication regime.

 

[omegaphallic]

Congrats to the liberals on becoming the new mj party of Canada. Do they really think young people will change parties over this and priotizing pot over serious issues won't marinalize them further. I support legalizing it and honestly a Mulcair government will probably legalize it any way after he gets his study done, but if this was a serious issue the MJ party would be the official opposition right now.

 

[blackrock13]

Congrats to the liberals on becoming the new mj party of Canada. Do they really think young people will change parties over this and priotizing pot over serious issues won't marinalize them further. I support legalizing it and honestly a Mulcair government will probably legalize it any way after he gets his study done, but if this was a serious issue the MJ party would be the official opposition right now.

I kind of like to think they are more than a single issue party.

 

[mcKaos]

At first I scoffed at the idea that this would be a wedge issue but I found a 2007 poll (yes I know kind of dated) that indicates that we have the highest usage of this product in the world. At 16.8% of the population, that's a big block of voters.

http://mostlywater.org/canada_leads_world_in_marijuana_use

 

[Moviefan-2]

At first I scoffed at the idea that this would be a wedge issue....

I'm assuming you mean you scoffed at whether it could be an effective wedge issue.

Technically, any policy idea that separates another party's position from your position can be a wedge issue. Whether or not the number of people who side with your position are enough to get you elected, though, is the real issue.

 

[userz]

That may or may not be true but one thing I know for sure - that those you have a mental defect worsen their state by smoking pot.

I'm sure that those with a "mental defect" as you so eloquently put it worsen their state by boozing too. But we don't restrict access to that for adults.

 

[blackrock13]

I'm sure that those with a "mental defect" as you so eloquently put it worsen their state by boozing too. But we don't restrict access to that for adults.

Don't be so sure, but let's deal with one drug at a time. As for alcohol, they tried that back in the day, but it didn't work too well.

 

[MattRoxx]

I'm sure that those with a "mental defect" as you so eloquently put it worsen their state by boozing too. But we don't restrict access to that for adults.

Yes, it would a cold and boring world if everything that negatively affected anyone with a 'mental defect' was illegal for all adults. That really should not be relevant to whether a substance or activity is legal and accessible.

I'm sure the hobby could also be detrimental to those who have, as K Douglas states, "mental defects".

At first I scoffed at the idea that this would be a wedge issue but I found a 2007 poll (yes I know kind of dated) that indicates that we have the highest usage of this product in the world. At 16.8% of the population, that's a big block of voters.

It is also British Columbia's biggest industry.

And there's this from January 2012:

Majority of Canadians support legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana, new poll suggests
Released on Tuesday, the poll suggests 66% of Canadians are in favour of the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana, with just 20% supporting leaving the laws as they are now.

 

[blackrock13]

Yes, it would a cold and boring world if everything that negatively affected anyone with a 'mental defect' was illegal for all adults. That really should not be relevant to whether a substance or activity is legal and accessible.

I'm sure the hobby could also be detrimental to those who have, as K Douglas states, "mental defects".

It is also British Columbia's biggest industry.

And there's this from January 2012:

Majority of Canadians support legalizing "OR" decriminalizing marijuana, new poll suggests

Released on Tuesday, the poll suggests 66% of Canadians are in favour of the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana, with just 20% supporting leaving the laws as they are now.

Please note the qualifier. From my vantage point, they are two very different things, but looks amazing when bunched together. Only 40% think it should be legalized.