Feds need to chill on cannabis laws

Why is the federal government in such a hurry to pass its marijuana legalization when there are still so many questions and so few answers?

Just this week, the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police said the legislation is coming too fast, stating, “There is insufficient time to prepare the necessary legislative framework and regulations to ensure the public safety.”

The Canadian Association of Police Chiefs warned it will be “impossible” to be ready for the government’s target of legalizing marijuana by July 1, 2018. Do these things not matter?

Why is the Trudeau government not listening to their own health department, which warned youth under the age of 25, whose brains are still developing, should not be smoking marijuana?

Why are they ignoring all the evidence that says more (not fewer) youth will smoke marijuana after legalization, and that car crashes due to impairment by marijuana will increase significantly?

Why do they insist organized crime will decrease after legalization, yet the experts say we are “deluding ourselves” if we think legalizing marijuana will remove the criminal component?

Canada is among the first developed countries in the world to legalize marijuana. The proposed legislative and regulatory framework is still in its infancy — not even halfbaked — and yet Trudeau stubbornly insists on recklessly plunging ahead. Why? Are there conflicts of interest driving this agenda? How would we know if there were?

There is something foolish and suspicious about the government’s mindless haste. It’s time to slow down, take a deep breath and a step back. Canadians deserve answers to their many questions before we go any further. Betty Unger, Senator (Alberta)