MLA likens legal pot to opium in China

Debate on Alberta’s two bills outlining how legal cannabis will be dealt with took an unexpected trip to Asia this week.

During discussion on Bill 26, which regulates the sale of cannabis, Lacombe-Ponoka United Conservative MLA Ronald Orr called Ottawa’s directive to legalize weed July 1 “economic piracy” that will come with an “astronomical” human and social cost.

Orr has worked in rehabilitation centres, and told the house Wednesday he believes legal pot will lead to a diminished society.

Legalizing cannabis, he argued, has a direct historical parallel with China’s former opium trade.

That society was “so broken down and debilitated” by opium use, it led to the Chinese Revolution under the Communists and, in turn, the execution of thousands of people, he said.

“I, for one, am not really willing to go down this road,” Orr said.

Children’s Services Minister Danielle Larivee called Orr’s comments “totally ridiculous.”

Albertans want to make sure kids are protected and profits are kept out of the hands of criminals, she said, and discussion needs to stay focused on the real issues.

On that point, she and UCP house leader Jason Nixon agree.

Orr wouldn’t stop to clarify his comments with reporters Thursday, so questions went to Nixon, who said Orr was weighing in on the compassionate side of the debate.

However, Nixon said he thought his colleague perhaps might wish he’d chosen different language.

Nixon said the UCP generally supported the legislation. Bill 26 passed Thursday while Bill 29 — which deals with driving while impaired by weed — passed Wednesday.