October 27, 2017

The Canadian federal government’s push to legalize marijuana is creating debates among locals who fear for the results and consequences it may have in the near future.

With hopes of having cannabis officially legalized in Canada by July 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s campaign promise seems likely to become a reality.

However not many Canadians, including Alberta locals are enthusiastic about this upcoming change, with many of whom are concerned about the effects it may cause for the future.

“I feel like the government is legalizing a drug that is leaving the impression that doing other drugs can be easier to get away with,” said Angela Gayan, a local Albertan and high school student.

“I don’t want to be walking at night and then seeing a group of grown ups smoking away and causing a ruckus.”

Gayan further added, “I think it will affect Alberta more negatively.”

With the federal government pushing the legislation for recreational marijuana, there have been many concerns that the recreational usage of cannabis may affect the increase of crime rates effectively growing in Alberta.

However, a story from CBC News Calgary featured in 2017, said that the legalization of marijuana may actually reduce crime rates.

Since 2015, Calgary’s marijuana possession charges have dropped significantly down by 20 per cent, according to statistics.

Calgary police chief Roger Chaffin admitted that the possession drop may not have resulted from a change in policy.

From CBC News, Chaffin said, “The message is marijuana is an illegal drug, it has always been and will maintain that status until such time as it’s been changed.”

Some Alberta locals seem to have similar views.

“Marijuana affects many people differently,” said Alexx Ismaili, a local Albertan and employee at Sportchek.

“Crime is a form of choice,” Ismaili said.

Ismaili, who admitted that she is a medical marijuana user said that, “I believe the crime rates will increase, unfortunately.”

“Some people are careless to a point where an innocent recreational windling drug becomes an addiction, and they will do anything to get their hands on it.”

Another debate for the upcoming legalization of marijuana is its connection with the ongoing opioid crisis in Alberta.

Some locals have voiced their concerns as many worry the legalization of recreational marijuana may lead to another situation similar to the opioid crisis.

“If people smoke it too much, that will result in negative outcomes to their brain and performances.”

Since April 2014, Health Canada issued a regulations act for those who intended to use cannabis for medical purposes.

While most of the general public agree that smoking cannabis should not be a criminal offence, there are still many that believe marijuana usage should strictly be used only for medical reasons.

Jordan Massé, an Alberta local voiced their concerns regarding the issue of recreational marijuana use said, “We are going to have so many high people and cause more problems.”

“I believe that we should add more restrictions and should only have medical marijuana.”

Though they also counter-argued their own stance regarding the problems that still continue to arise even with the usage of medical cannabis.

“But the thing is, people always make stuff up to get a hold of medical marijuana,” said Massé

A story from CBC News Edmonton reports that Alberta may have the highest medical marijuana users in all of Canada.

Based on statistics from Health Canada, the demand for medical marijuana in Alberta has reached an all time high as of Oct. 20.

Statistics show that just over 74,000 clients that registered to receive medical marijuana were from Alberta.

In order to push the legalization of marijuana further, each province has been given the responsibility of determining the method and sale of cannabis for distribution.

As well as the appropriate age restriction.

According to a national poll by Nanos Research, about 70% of Canadians are in favor of having marijuana legalized for recreational uses.

Ismaili continued to say, “In regards, every good has a bad and every bad has a good.”

This is a news article assignment that was submitted on Oct 27, 2017