Posted on October 9, 2014 |
“We can’t go on pretending the war on drugs is working,” said Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group.Branson made this comment in this story (link). “We need our leaders to look at alternative, fact-based approaches. Much can be learned from successes and failures in regulating alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceutical drugs. The risks associated with drug use increase, sometimes dramatically, when they are produced, sold and consumed in an unregulated criminal environment. The most effective way to advance the goals of public health and safety is to get drugs under control through responsible legal regulation.”
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In what has to be one of the most convincing and detailed arguments yet, The Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada’s largest mental-health and addiction-treatment teaching hospital, says only through legalizing marijuana can we combat pot’s negative effects.
Basically, the group is saying: Let’s be honest here. The war on pot causes more problems than it solves. And unless we pull our collective head out of our collective butt, we can’t address the real public health issues that are staring us in the face.
“Canada’s current system of cannabis control is failing to prevent or reduce the harms associated with cannabis use,” said Dr. Jürgen Rehm, director of the social and epidemiological research department at the hospital, in a news release.
“Based on a thorough review of the evidence, we believe that legalization combined with strict regulation of cannabis is the most effective means of reducing the harms associated with its use.”
Related story: Why legal marijuana will be good for Washington kids
Video: “Cannabis is not a benign substance. Frequent and heavy use can lead to significant health problems, especially for adolescents, whose brains are still developing. Criminalization only intensifies the harm associated with its use.”
Related story: Why legal marijuana will be good for Washington kids
Video: “Cannabis is not a benign substance. Frequent and heavy use can lead to significant health problems, especially for adolescents, whose brains are still developing. Criminalization only intensifies the harm associated with its use.”
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“We need an approach to cannabis that puts health first. The right set of regulations, carefully implemented and thoroughly evaluated, can help us achieve that,” said Dr. Jürgen Rehm, director of the social and epidemiological research department at CAMH, in an editorial.
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