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Editorial: WhatÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s all the fuss about pot?

DonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t worry, be happy about pot legalization
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The upcoming legalization of pot seems to have many sectors of our society, from police services to individuals in a tizzy.

TheyÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re concerned about how legalization of marijuana is going to change society, issues with its use and abuse and more.

But honestly, what is going to change? ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s not like pot has ever been unavailable in Canada. Remember when B.C. Bud used to be one of the most desired Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥œbrands?Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ It still is, apparently. (And weÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re not talking about Canadian-brewed Budweiser beer, folks.)

Like alcohol, cannabis Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” along with all its benefits and problems Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” has been with us for a very long time. Legalizing cannabis wonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t make it any more accessible to under-19 age group, for example. They donÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t seem to have any problem obtaining pot right now.

Nor, come Oct. 17, are all Canadians suddenly going to rush out to buy their 30 grams and immediately turn into full-time stoners. Cannabis may be illegal, but there are few real-world restrictions on its use.

ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s not like someone was introducing a totally new, unfamiliar product into mainstream markets.

And there may be positive changes. Depending on pricing, taxes and distribution models, we can hope that legal pot is going to prove to be stiff competition for the street dealers. Hopefully, fewer grow-ops as well, allowing police to turn their attention to other pressing matters, and fewer rental homes destroyed.

Speaking of taxes, letÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s not forget about the value of dragging this underground economy into the daylight and taxing it. That is going to be a lot of cash flowing into the economy, and tax dollars into provincial and federal coffers.

Legalizing cannabis is really just recognizing a situation that existed long before Justin Trudeau made it an election promise. Regulation is likely to solve more problems than introduce new ones.

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