Canadian medical journal editor objects against Liberals' pot bill: "it could harm the health of young Canadians."

Canadian medical journal editor objects against Liberals' pot bill: "it could harm the health of young Canadians. (CanMedJournal).

The head of a major Canadian medical journal says that the Liberal government’s marijuana legalization bill shouldn’t pass through Parliament because it could harm the health of young Canadians.

In an editorial published Monday, the interim editor-in-chief of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Diane Kelsall, argues that the government is ignoring the health risks marijuana poses to the developing brain and that the minimum legal age is too low.

“The government appears to be hastening to deliver on a campaign promise without being careful enough about the health impacts of policy,” she wrote. “If Parliament truly cares about the public health and safety of Canadians, especially our youth, this bill will not pass.”

The government has argued that the new bill will prevent youth from getting access to marijuana and divert funds from organized crime.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last December that 18 would be an appropriate minimum legal age for marijuana consumption. He called it a “reasonable compromise,” noting that many Canadians younger than 18 already smoke marijuana. Provinces will also ultimately have the option of individually raising the age limit within their own jurisdictions.

Dr. Kelsall argues that the government should set a national standard for retail distribution, raise the minimum legal age, and ban home growing plants to prevent youth from accessing cannabis and developing a dependence or other substance abuse issues.

“Most of us know a young person whose life was derailed because of marijuana use,” she writes. “Bill C-45 is unlikely to prevent such tragedies from occurring and, conversely, may make them more frequent.” Hmmmm......Especially if you won't prosecute underage users. Read the full story here.

"2012 Elections" - Will Pres Obama Decriminalize Marijuana, now Even Rahm Emanuel Says Decriminalize Marijuana?

"2012 Elections" - Will Pres Obama Decriminalize Marijuana, now Even Rahm Emanuel Says Decriminalize Marijuana?(AP).By Phillip Smith.Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) said Friday he backed a city council proposal to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The council is set to vote later this month on an ordinance that would decriminalize the possession of up to 15 grams of pot.
Fifteen states, including Rhode Island, whose governor signed a decriminalization bill into law Tuesday, have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, as have several large American cities.Chicago police arrested more than 18,000 people on small-time (less than 10 grams) marijuana possession charges last year. Each arrest involves about four officers -- two to arrest and two to transport -- said a statement from the mayor's office.
"These arrests tied up more than 45,000 police hours," Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in the mayor's office statement. "The new ordinance nearly cuts that time in half, which equals an approximate $1 million in savings, while freeing up cops to address more serious crime."Under existing law, people caught with small amounts of marijuana face up to six months in jail. If the ordinance is approved, they would face only a citation and the loss of their weed.
Emanuel had originally been lukewarm on decriminalization, saying when the topic was broached last year only that he would ask the police to do an analysis. Now, that Obama analysis is in, and Emanuel is on board.
"The result is an ordinance that allows us to observe the law, while reducing the processing time for minor possession of marijuana -- ultimately freeing up police officers for the street," Emanuel said.
The move on decriminalization comes as Chicago faces a long, hot summer. There have been 185 homicides through May 13, up from 116 during the same period last year. And the violence has continued since then, with 22 more people killed this month. Freeing up police resources by decriminalization could be seen as helping to address the violence problem.The ordinance will likely go for a vote before the City Council on June 27.Hmmm........."Yes We Cannabis in an election Year".Read the full story here.