Pot; The Canadian debate

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The great Canadian debate lingers on (again brought on by our indecisive stance on controversial subject matter)- to smoke or not to smoke dope.
  While this issue is now before the politicians to decide whether to decriminalize marijuana, there remains growing concern over the safety and mental capacity of users, particularly younger Canadians.
  According to the 2002 special Senate Committee report on illegal drug use, close to 30% of the Canadian population aged 12 tp 64 has used cannabis at least once.
  About two million Canadians aged 18 and older have used cannabis sometime during the past 12 moths, 600,000 have used the drug in the past 30 days, and approximately 10,000 use daily. 
 
These numbers pose a serious concern for industry health supervisors like Brenda Klein. She believes the numbers of casual users and the number of workplace problems will increase with the erroneous perception that “it’s ok” to smoke pot. “Not on my watch,” the feisty 25 year veteran says. “The field workers in the oilpatch are generally younger workers. They’re driving vehicles and operating heavy equipment. It’s a dangerous mix if you’re  high.”
 
Pot advocates, however, argue that the health and safety risks are minimal with marijuana, and pot  should not be placed in the same light as traditionally problematic substances like alcohol. “Im mellow and clear headed when I smoke (pot),” says one Oilpatch HotShot driver who calls himself Ron. Ron says he’s smoked at work- and with out incident. “I never drink (alcohol),” he says. “That’s bad stuff if you can’t handle it.”
   A drug is a drug, is a drug, no matter how you call it, according to Dr. Thomas Klein, professor of medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Florida. “It’s like cigarettes. I think most rational would say: ‘Well, you smoke a cigarette from time to time or a Cigar from time to time, it’s not going to hurt you. But if you smoke three packs a day it can have an effect.”
 
A recent Supreme Court decision rejected pot-supporters' argument that lawmakers should have to demonstrate a serious risk of harm to marijuana users to justify criminal sanctions.
  The government passed the test by showing the health risks are not "insignificant or trivial," concluded the court's majority.
  "Chronic users may suffer serious health problems. Vulnerable groups are at a particular risk, including adolescents with a history of poor school performance, pregnant women and persons with pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, schizophrenia, or other drug dependencies," wrote the court, citing studies.
  The trio of marijuana users failed to convince the court that control over pot possession is outside federal jurisdiction because provinces are responsible for health, that it is unfair to target marijuana when alcohol and cigarettes are legal, and that pot prohibition discriminates against people because of their "substance orientation.”
 
Canadian House of Commons is currently reviewing Bill C-10 which would decriminaliZe the possession of small amounts or marijuana. Possession of up to 15 grams of pot and up to three plants would be punishable under the new law by fines of between $100 and $500.
 
Medical researchers have noted with continuous usage, marijuana can cause mood swings and drowsiness. This has employers and safety supervisors worried. Adds Brenda Klein: “Even debating the issue can give workers the feeling it’s alright to smoke. If they do on the job, they’ll be answering to me.”WSN