Article content

This week’s Conversation That Matters features Anne McLellan, who leads the task force on legalizing marijuana in Canada. She says, “it’s a bold move” because Canada becomes the first G-20 country to make pot legal. In doing so, we contravene three United Nations treaties that control or prohibit access to drugs like marijuana.

There are risks and rewards. On the upside, she says, Canada will set the standard internationally and could become the supplier of choice to a growing international medical market, and the government can collect tax.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Stuart McNish: Anne McLellan on pot's upsides and downsides Back to video

McLellan says, “it’s also about safety, right now there are no safeguards, no standards and no inspectors.”

She points out prohibition hasn’t worked for marijuana, in the same way it didn’t work for alcohol.

On the downside, the U.S., China, India and other nations could restrict trade and the movement of Canadians within their countries in response.

Conversations That Matter is a partner program with the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for these important and engaging Conversations shaping our future.

Please become a subscriber and support the production of the program at www.conversationsthatmatter.tv