To read part one, click Here
As we already know, anyone under the age of 21 is strictly prohibited from purchasing any fresh cannabis product here in Quebec. The real head scratcher is that people between 18 and 20 are free to buy the paraphernalia required to consume cannabis, yet they’re denied the right to buy the plant itself. It’s like being able to walk into a bar at 18, without being able to order drinks before being 21. This essentially creates 2 categories of adults which is impractical, potentially harmful to the concerned age group and represents less taxes paid by consumers to be reinvested in communities.
The government's main argument was that these measures were implemented to protect our youth from the risks of cannabis. We believe the real way to protect someone from anything is to thoroughly inform and raise awareness about the pros and the cons of said «thing», allowing each adult to make a conscious decision, based on awareness of cause.
Being the second most widely used intoxicant in adolescence after alcohol, wouldn’t it be safer and more responsible to educate and warn the youth about the ties attached to long term smoking instead of depriving them from it altogether? Especially when it comes to a substance like cannabis, that has such a big cultural presence and easy accessibility outside of the authorized dispensaries. We all know very well that when there's a will, there's a way to get weed.
By restricting the age group authorized to purchase cannabis, we put the 18-20 y/o at a greater risk of putting themselves in compromising situations to obtain their stash and we potentially expose them to harmful substances since the provenance of the product isn’t verified. Instead they could be walking in a government operated dispensary that have strict standards to follow, where trained employees can answer questions and guide each person towards a product that will best suit them, which would actually protect them.
Naturally, weed comes with its own risks. It can cause unwanted symptoms such as severe anxiety or panic attacks, nausea and severe confusion depending on the user’s tolerance, state of mind and overall metabolism. It's important to remain aware that long term smoking can trigger mental disorders like schizophrenia for example, especially for those predisposed to develop a disorder later in life.
Why are we so lax with booze if it also has devastating effects on our youth when consumed in large quantities or over a long period? Keep in mind, we’re not looking to demonize alcohol. We do enjoy the occasional night out at a bar. Rather we want to expose the fallacy in the way the legislation is built and show that there's a double standard. If cannabis is as dangerous for our youth as our government claims, the law should be tailored to it and be more logical.
Public opinion plays the biggest role in legislation because in the end, we consist of the majority of individuals. Thanks to that we can push for change and require clearer and more adapted laws that sees weed for what it truly is.
To read part three, click Here