| Essential information for an informed debate about cannabis policy. |
June 28, 2006 - Vancouver 24hours
Local pot advocates and politicians say the United Nations is blowing smoke after a report stated marijuana could be as dangerous to use as cocaine and heroin.
According to the UN, the potency of marijuana has doubled in places such as B.C. due to indoor grow-ops and global popularity of smoking pot is cause for concern.
“It’s wrong,” said an angry Michelle Rainey, vice-president of the B.C. Marijuana Party and a medical marijuana user, at her B.C. Hemp Bookstore. “There is nothing to indicate that cannabis is like heroin.”
Rainey, who faces extradition to the U.S. with Marc Emery for allegedly selling pot seeds across the border, said the report completely overlooked the vast majority of studies on the medical benefits of cannabis.
Vancouver East MP Libby Davies is worried the report may spark a knee-jerk reaction from governments.
“My fear is that it will provide ammunition for hardcore drug czars for increased enforcement,” said the NDP MP. “Bush or Harper could use it as a false lever.”
Instead of enforcement, Davies argues the report should be a sign that governments need to decriminalize and regulate the use of pot.
“The message here is that prohibition has been an utter failure,” she said. “What we need is realistic education so people know what effects of marijuana are and how to be responsible in using it similar to what we’ve done with smoking and drinking.”
Liberal Vancouver Centre MP Hedy Fry said legalizing marijuana, along with education campaigns, would help reduce the rising potency of pot.
“There is some truth that it’s getting stronger and stronger,” said Fry. “But that’s why you see most countries, especially in the EU, taking steps to regulate it and make it safer. Just one report is not something people should look at for a stance.”
