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Changing public views

That last point is critical. Cannabis is going to be legal, so people are going to have to change their way of viewing it. For those who have lived with this prohibition all of their adult lives, that’s going to be a challenge now and then, but I suspect people will get through the legalization process just fine. Other than catching the odd whiff of cannabis out in public more often, little will change for the vast majority.

As Bayne put it: “Cannabis is in our communities right now. (Legalization) is not going to dramatically transform … People who use it now (about one in five adults) are people who are going to continue to use it. We hope they source it from safe and reliable producers and not from the illegal market.”

The benefits of ending prohibition are many. For one thing, consumers will know exactly what they’re buying. They won’t have to fear purchasing and using an overly potent or toxic product. The government can also tax this business now. Business people can make a living and provide jobs for others without fear of arrest or violent competition for turf.

Bayne made a point of telling local politicians that new federal laws will establish drug-level limits for driving. Those found above the limit will be guilty of committing a criminal offence. But, he added, drug-impaired driving already goes on. “It’s a serious problem today. We anticipate there may be a slight increase as a result of legalization but it’s not a problem that’s created as result of legalization.”

The main benefit of legalization? It increases our self-respect. On one more front we’ve decided to treat ourselves as adults with the agency to make proper decisions in life, and not as children or as the helpless victims of reefer madness.

And while it will take some getting used to folks smoking up here and there in public, if major problem areas arise, city councils can simply clamp down.

dstaples@postmedia.com