On July 1, 2018, marijuana is going to be legalized in Canada. However, there is no need to fear. In fact, Canadians should feel more at ease as July 1 approaches.
Legalization means many things for Canadians. Once a substance is legalized, it directly and aggressively hemorrhages revenue from the black market. When criminal organizations lose money, they lose power. When they lose power, they lose their ability to negatively affect society.
This will be akin to what occurred when prohibition ceased in the United States. All these criminal organizations lost their power and wealth once alcohol was re-legalized. Legalization, in turn, made society at large safer and more hospitable.
Marijuana is commonly, but incorrectly, called “a gateway drug.” This so-called “gateway effect” is caused by the black market. This is because drug dealers who sell weed typically sell a variety of other substances as well. The dealers then offer to sell these other substances to their buyers.
This environment is what causes people to try different narcotics, not marijuana itself. When marijuana is legalized, and people no longer need to seek out shady dealers, it is likely that the testing of more serious substances will dramatically decline.
So, Canadians, do not fear, a safer Canada is near.
Jarrod Picton
Esquimalt
