Bernie Sanders says it better than anyone.

Stats Canada: Cannabis offences decline in recent years but remain most common type of drug offence.

Some statistics (they may not all be accurate or up to date), source: The University of Ottawa.

Estimated number of marijuana users in Canada: 2.3 million

Average age of introduction to marijuana: 15 years old

Number of people aged 12 - 17 who use daily: 225,0005

10% of regular users develop dependency

Annual Canadian consumption: 770,000 kg.

Annual production: 2.6 million kg.

Amount of domestic production consumed in Canada: 30%

Number of grow operations: 215,000

Number of people employed in grow operations: 500,000

Price of 1 ounce of top grade product (enough to produce 20-50 joints: $250

Annual number of arrests for all offences concerning illegal drugs: 90,000

Number of reported marijuana offences (1999): 35,000

Number of reported marijuana offences in 2001: 71,600 (70% for possession)

Annual cost of enforcing marijuana laws (police and courts): $500 million

THE GOAL:

TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN CANADA UNTIL LEGALIZATION. TO PREVENT CANADIAN CITIZENS FROM GOING TO PRISON FOR A CRIME OUR OWN LEADER SAYS SHOULD NO LONGER EXIST.

Since Trudeau has taken office, approximately 25K people have been put in prison for Marijuana use.

The Liberal Government has been campaigning for it’s legalization for months on end at this point, and certainly everyone thought they would be decriminalizing it the first chance they got. We wanted this for so many reasons. Yes, some of those reasons are recreational Cannabis use because it’s a safe and beautiful substance that literally millions of Canadian’s already enjoy.

The Prime Minister’s words have been extremely disappointing;

“Pot is still illegal in this country and will be until we bring in a strong regulatory framework.”

The idea that pot is still illegal in this country is fluid at this point, we’re working on legalization and the country has been hearing Trudeau speak positively about it for months on end during his campaign. We do need a strong regulatory framework, it needs to be done right. Absolutely. Must we continue arresting people in the meantime? Is that congruent with what Trudeau has promised?

“I think decriminalization is a bad idea because it doesn’t do anything to make it more difficult for young people to access it and it doesn’t do anything in terms of keeping the black market and the criminal organizations from profiting from it”

Certainly it does not make it more difficult for young people to access it. Is it right, at this point, this close to legalizing it, to put them in prison for using it? Is that in their best interest? Are they being misled? Titles, headlines everywhere about how pot is basically already legal? You’ve been a big part in that, Trudeau. Now you say to us people should still be arrested for it’s use?

You’ve told the country your plans, and we’ve listened with gratitude and praise. If you’re looking out for the young people, Trudeau, don’t put them in prison. Because you and I both know that any time spent there, is far worse than smoking a joint. Decriminalize Marijuana while you work to legalize it. Put no more people in prison.