The Decriminalization Of Marijuana In Canada

In response to the question “should the Canadian government decriminalize the possession of marijuana?” Citizen One thinks that decriminalizing marijuana is a step in the wrong direction. She believes that there should be increasing penalties for marijuana possession and that the government should enforce harsher punishments and laws in relation to drugs. Citizen One thinks that if the government of Canada criminalizes the use and possession of what most youth consider as “weed,” then less lives would be destroyed. Marijuana is a drug which impairs a youth’s ability to recall, suppression of the immune system; and short-term responses including anxiety and panic. Hence, Citizen one believes that the negative aspects of the drug simply outweigh
the good and therefore when criminalized less individuals will resort to the drug as a coping mechanism, and in turn the addictive factors would lead to introduction of a very unhealthy choice. Further, she also believes that her opinion of increasing penalties and not relaxing drug laws is in the best interest of Canada as a collective, protecting our citizens from the harmful drug is in the greater interest of society. Citizen One has views of classical liberalism which has ideologies of harsh punishments, beliefs in security and economic freedom. She reflects her worldview through voicing her opinion in support of the pre-existing prohibitions on the use, production and possession of marijuana.

Citizen Two believes that the decriminalization of marijuana is a step in the right direction but doesn’t go far enough.
He believes that marijuana should be legalized for the better good of the society, and this would be achieved through liberating citizens to be given the authority to make their own life decisions. Citizen Two states that the government can gain revenue by taxing the marijuana industry. By legalizing marijuana, the government can save itself the investment of administering needless drug laws. Also, Citizen Two accepts that using marijuana for recreational purposes is an individual's personal lifestyle choice; not something that is up to governments to decide nor impede on individual liberty by setting laws to dictate the choices individuals wish to take. Those who choose to recreationally use marijuana have a choice whether or not to, regardless, when they choose to, they accept that lifestyle and cautiously make the choice to lead their lives in that form. Therefore, Citizen Two believes that hindering criminal records because of an individual’s personal choice is wrong. Moreover, his views and ideologies of modern liberalism and choices are voiced in his opinion which reflects strong beliefs that not only should the government of Canada decriminalize marijuana but further, also legalize it and that is the decision which will benefit society on a larger scale, and in the best interest of the greater
good.

Citizen Three’s opinion is on neither end of the spectrum; but crosses middle grounds when deciding to allow marijuana to be administered as a prescribed drug.
He believes that decriminalizing marijuana for recreational and personal use is a bad idea, however, doctors should be able to continue the status quo of allowing marijuana possession for medical concerns only. Citizen Three states that having trained medical professionals prescribing marijuana for patients is acceptable whereas those who use marijuana for something other than as a prescribed drug, is not. Marijuana has been proven to assist many individuals with numerous wide scale health concerns, and therefore has some benefits which cannot be denied to patients in need. Citizen three finds a middle ground in the topic regarding legalization of marijuana, where he supports the adequate use of it as a prescribed drug; and demonstrates progressive and culling ideologies, whilst believing in harsh punishments for those who choose to use it without
prescription.

In accordance to Citizen Two, I believe that the government of Canada should not only decriminalize marijuana but also legalize it and further put implement sin taxes on the drug, so that governments benefit from the production and selling of it. By decriminalizing and legalizing it, as Citizen Two said, the government is saving the expense of creating and enforcing laws that aren’t needed – and focus on those which are a more alarming issue when it comes to the security of citizens. Coming from both a collective and individual approach, I believe that permitting drug laws would benefit society as a whole, due to the newly incoming benefit factor of taxing marijuana industries; and would benefit individuals, as they would have an increased sense of liberation and personal freedom granted to them. Like Citizen Two, I know that using marijuana for recreational purposes is a personal lifestyle choice, which is why fining those who choose this specific lifestyle would be considered amiss. Another element is if the government of Canada legalizes marijuana, those who do it, youth especially, won’t be hyped up about it since it’s not against the law. It would be reverse psychology against users. Majority of the youth that use marijuana for entertainment purposes do it out of rebellion against authority. If marijuana and other drugs are legalized and regulated, most users won’t feel the adrenaline rush of prohibited actions.