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Personal property is the effect of society; and it is as impossible for an individual to acquire personal property without the aid of society, as it is for him to make land originally. Separate an individual from society, and give him an island or a continent to possess, and he cannot acquire personal property. He cannot be rich. So inseparably are the means connected with the end, in all cases, that where the former do not exist the latter cannot be obtained. All accumulation, therefore, of personal property, beyond what a man’s own hands produce, is derived to him by living in society; and he owes on every principle of justice, of gratitude, and of civilization, a part of that accumulation back again to society from whence the whole came.

• Thomas Paine, Agrarian Justice Part Three

(Thanks reddit)

Dear Mr. *my last name here*:

Thank you for your correspondence concerning the legalization of marijuana. I regret the delay in responding.

That’s cool B. I know you’re busy passing “tough-on-crime” bills in a time when the crime rate is at an all-time low. Mandatory minimum sentencing for everybody, right!

Marijuana is a psychoactive substance causing alteration of mental and physical functions. The use of psychoactive substances raises issues of public health and safety, both for the user and for those in the broader society affected by the user’s conduct.

It sure does. Important issues like “why can’t I get a burrito with a chimichanga inside it?”, and “what if dinosaurs were invented by the CIA to discourage time travel.”

The production and trafficking of illicit drugs is the most significant source of money for gangs and organized crime. It does profound harm to neighbourhoods, where homes are turned into grow-ops and crystal meth labs.

Again, bang on the money, in fact I think I mentioned that in my letter to you… as, you know, ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY WE SHOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA. Cut marijuana out of the dealers cash supply, focus law enforcement on harder drugs, etc. etc.

Many Canadians are concerned that a relaxation of the law prohibiting possession of marijuana would result in greater use of the drug and therefore would increase the health and safety hazards associated with it. Although research is still continuing on the effects of marijuana use, there is enough information to clearly identify health hazards. Regular and heavy use of cannabis can lead to a psychological or physiological dependence, thereby worsening an individual’s overall condition.

Coffee, tea, Red Bull, alcohol, tobacco, reddit and kombucha all match that description.

Moreover, legalizing access to marijuana would put Canada in contravention of international agreements to which it is a party, including the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. This convention, for instance, obliges Canada to maintain stringent domestic control over certain drugs, including marijuana. In particular, Canada is required to treat possession, sale, cultivation, and importing activities involving this substance as punishable offences.

#therealreason

I note your views on this issue; however, I would like to point out that the Government has no intention to introduce legislation that would decriminalize the possession of cannabis. The Government is opposed to decriminalizing or legalizing illicit drugs.

No problem; however, I would like to point out that I have no intention of voting for you, or anyone in your party in the next election. I am opposed to almost everything you guys do. Except getting rid of the penny, that was pretty awesome. Nice job on that one. Seriously.

Thank you again for writing.

My pleasure.

Yours truly,

The Honourable Rob Nicholson

One last thing, Rob. When history proves me right, and you wrong, I hope you are still alive to see how wrong you were. That, or someone you care about gets mandatory minimum sentenced for something stupid. xoxo, Cory