Up in smoke

Time for low-level street dealers to move out as government prepares to move in

A judge seemed bewildered Friday as she sentenced a Prince Edward Island man for selling drugs out of his home. Alfred William Gallant admitted to police he had been selling marijuana out his house for years. He said he did so to pay for his own usage — about seven or eight grams a day. A report found his common-law spouse didn’t view it as trafficking because it was only marijuana and he only sold to people he knew. “You have to shake your head,” Chief Judge Nancy Orr said. She noted that even if marijuana laws change, these activities would still be illegal, and in the meantime, the law is quite clear. Orr sentenced Gallant to four months in jail, along with 100 hours of community service and two years’ probation. Here’s a question: how many of these low-level traffickers, how many other Alfred Gallants, are in our communities? A lot. How many of them have been operating for years and made a small fortune? A lot. And how many spouses and families have long turned turn a blind eye to their work, thinking it’s OK or enjoying the extra income? A lot. We’re not suggesting that loved ones start ratting out their partners or parents. That’s not where this is going. But we are going to suggest something bold. Household drug dealers — the folks who push in their cars, basements or garages — should get out of the business now.

Legislation to legalize marijuana is being introduced next spring and it’s time you retired. Your work is done. The extra income is about to end. Government is going to put you out of business. And it’s about time. You’ve made too much money selling low-quality dope, with no conscience or concern. The new supplier — or the entity that oversees the supplier — will have guidelines and rules to protect users and the public. With a reported five doctors on its nine-member legalization task force, Ottawa is apparently putting health as a priority in the new pot legislation. When was the last time a small-time dealer thought of the health or well-being of his/her buyers? Never. Or not often enough. The feds are also consulting with addiction experts. Do household dealers ever think about addiction other than wanting to get someone hooked so they’d buy more? Again, not often enough. So it’s time for them to get out of the weed. Legalization will make it safer and legal for recreational pot users. It will also get rid of the low-level dealers. And good riddance to them.