Mainly for Men: Coming to a shopping mall near you?

COMING TO A SHOPPING MALL NEAR YOU?
Recreational Cannabis in Canada



With one of our sons living in Canada, we have visited the country frequently, travelling widely. It’s a fascinating place, not unlike the US, but definitely not the same.
For the past decade, Canada has had a socially liberal government. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the downtown streets of some of its cities, where the smell of cannabis is everywhere.
In 2014 in Vancouver, I recall we kept catching the odd whiff. Then on a bus we overheard a young man urging a friend, “Tell the doctor you have difficulty sleeping, and you’ll get cannabis on prescription, it's effectively legal". In 2001, cannabis had become fully legal for medical use. In 2018 it followed Uruguay and made recreational use legal.

Over the past 28 years, I have been an active trustee of a couple of Christian residential rehabs for men who want to break free from serious drug and alcohol addiction. It’s a notoriously difficult task. Nevertheless, I’ve watched hundreds and hundreds of men graduate from our programmes, returning to their families, working, rebuilding their lives, back to what we feel is normal.

In the UK, cannabis is often regarded as a gateway drug to heroin, the main substance addiction we encounter. Many heroin addicts have started with it. Canada’s approach to recreational cannabis use is therefore of great interest. The country did not merely decriminalise small amounts for personal use, as has been done elsewhere, it created a fully legal, regulated market.

Cannabis is now fully mainstream in Canada. Many shopping strips and malls host licensed outlets, much as tobacconists once occupied British high streets. These stores in prime locations sell cannabis in multiple forms, from cigarettes to dried flowers to edible candy, always presented in attractive packaging. The visibility of these premises encourages people to enter and learn how to cook and bake with cannabis, and then find themselves tempted by its brightly coloured sweets. Staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, sometimes with a missionary zeal to encourage the curious to try a gummy. No, I didn’t!

SUPPORTERS OF CANADAS APPROACH CLAIM SEVERAL ADVANTAGES
1) Although the black market is still substantial, legal production is safer as it means ingredients are controlled. Medical research is easier.
2) Providing they do not drive, recreational users are no longer at risk of a criminal conviction for a self-harming habit. Pressure on the police, courts and the vulnerable has been reduced.
3) A multi-billion-dollar industry has emerged, supporting more than 98,000 jobs, including ancillary roles. Some regions now host “cannabis tourism.”
4) By 2022 legal cannabis was generating around C$1.5 billion in annual tax revenue.

VERY SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS REMAIN
1) The Canadian government itself warns  (Canada.ca) “It's estimated that 1 in 3 who use cannabis will develop a problem with their use. It's also estimated that 1 in 11 (9%) of those who use cannabis will develop an addiction to it. This statistic rises to about 1 in 6 (17%) for people who started using cannabis as a teenager. If a person smokes cannabis daily, the risk of addiction is 25% to 50%.” And “Addiction can occur at any age, but the chances are higher while the brain is still developing, which can continue until around 25 years of age. As well, the younger an individual is when they begin using cannabis, the higher their risk of health problems, including addiction and other mental health issues including psychosis, schizophrenia, social anxiety, and depression.”
2) Few people read warnings. Legalising cannabis has lowered the perceived risks, particularly for young people. “It’s legal, so it can’t be THAT bad!” Despite their government's warnings, The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction reports that 33% of Canadians between the age of 15 to 24 used cannabis in the previous three months.
3) The CCSUA also reported that between 2015 and 2021 more than 580 children aged 0-9 were hospitalised after consuming cannabis, mainly edibles.
4) In 2022 the Canadian Institute for Health Information found cannabis affects reaction time, motor coordination and decision making, and gives drivers false confidence. Transport Canada estimates 125 to 150 deaths each year have cannabis as a contributing factor. In 2019 a driver who had earlier consumed legal cannabis mounted the pavement killing a close friend of my daughter in law.
5) A 2020 study by Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms estimates direct healthcare costs of legalisation to be C$380 million with lost productivity adding C$491 million, offsetting much of the tax gains.
 
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Currently in the UK, cannabis is a Class B drug. Recreational use is illegal. Possession can result in up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. However, police often issue a cannabis warning or fine for small personal amounts. Supply and production can lead to up to 14 years in prison with an unlimited fine.
Since 2018, specialist doctors have been allowed to prescribe cannabis-based medication. But they can be difficult to access.

With many US/Australian states and some European countries easing restrictions on cannabis, it is not question of ‘if’ but ‘when’ politicians here ask if we should follow Canada’s lead.
Among the main UK parties, the Liberal Democrats already support full legalisation similar to Canada. The Conservatives, Labour and Reform are currently opposed.

MY PERSONAL VIEW (not necessarily those of Kings Church or Yeldall Manor)
1) There are real serious health risks from using cannabis (NHS).  
2) Cannabis-based medicine should be easily available on a controlled prescription basis.
3) Recreational use should remain illegal.
 4) People caught with small quantities of non-prescribed cannabis for their own use, should be regarded as self-harming and offered treatment not prosecution.  
5) Outside of the pharmacy sector, the penalty for anyone selling cannabis, should be increased and rigorously enforced.

Methinks that for the unscrupulous, legalising recreational cannabis creates a fabulous business model. Potentially up to 50% of your regular customers will need to keep coming back for more, as you will have them addicted.

Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?

PS If you or a friend are fighting substance or alcohol addiction then www.yeldall.org.uk may be able to help.

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