Over the last few weeks the topic of legalizing marijuana has come up in conversations. At face value, it’s no worse than any other legalized drug, like alcohol, however, the Federal Government may have jumped the gun in legalization; is everything in place that needs to be?
With alcohol there is a roadside-screening device, which can tell if you’re over the legal limit; if you are there’s then a secondary device at detachments where they can determine exactly what your blood alcohol content is. This, however, is a larger process to test for and if drinking and driving in Saskatchewan accounts for nearly half of all fatal traffic collisions – according to SGI reports – what happens with another available legal substance that impairs?
Other questions that popped up included: where would you physically be able to consume it? Will there be cafes like in Amsterdam or are you just able to use it privately? If there are cafes, which allow smoking, then will they allow regular cigarettes too? Will legalization create the need for companies to increase the number of drug tests of zero-tolerance positions?
A study conducted by the Cummings School of Medicine at the University of Calgary states that second-hand marijuana smoke could lead to workplace failure of a drug tests as well. Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal Open, it states that THC – the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana – can produce a positive in blood and urine tests within 15-minutes of exposure. If it’s not something you do often the THC can take between 24 and 48 hours to leave your system – proving an issue at a job with zero-tolerance. While, for regular users THC can remain in the system for up to 30 days.
A MacLean’s article published Jan. 24, “What Canada’s plan for regulating marijuana gets wrong,” by Daniel Myran and Ryan Forrest questions the marketing of marijuana drawing on the regulation of tobacco and alcohol.
Tobacco – marketing is banned (the only ads I’ve seen for tobacco are from American magazines), tobacco packages have graphically detailed warnings on them, is banned in all indoor public places, must be away from doorways, and what was once considered “cool” has been deemed to be “uncool.”
Alcohol – to be consumed “socially responsibly” and is marketed (television, magazines, and social media), but is prohibited from being directed at youth. It’s considered socially acceptable with people often questioning those that don’t drink.
Canada is a global leader in tobacco control, while it ranks fourth highest in the developed world for binge drinking according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. So, if marijuana is following alcohol in its legalization, what does this really mean for society?
I personally don’t really care one way or the other because at face value it doesn’t really affect me; but, the “butterfly effect” means it could if someone chose to jump in a car and drive while under the influence – would they make it home safe or potentially endanger my family, friends, or me on their way home? I know there are people doing this out there already, but will there be more once smoking marijuana is legalized and more easily accessible? Would second hand smoke lead to a positive test that could impact a family member, friend, or me? Ultimately rules and regulations will be put in place and hopefully they’re adhered to, as we do need to be socially responsible when it comes to legal drugs like alcohol and soon-to-be marijuana.
