Contrary to popular belief, people can become addicted to Cannabis, just like any other drug. Continued, frequent and heavy Cannabis use can cause serious physical dependency and addiction. Logically we can see the government’s two faced approach to the issue of addiction, health and safety in Canada.
Cannabis may be sold at a corner store near you, so long as it has a license to do so, but there are many problematic issues that arise using Cannabis.
Heavy use and addiction can lead to a failure to fulfill major duties at home, work, school and any occupational or recreational activity. Addiction can and does take over your life. Ok, I hear you. You only use it once in a while right? Well addiction to anything is dependent upon how prone you are to becoming addicted. It can develop in any age, but youth are especially vulnerable because their brain is still developing.
It is estimated that 1 in 3 who use cannabis will develop a problem. 1 in 11 (9%) of Cannabis users will become addicted. It rises to about 1 in 6 (17%) for those who started smoking as teenagers.
If you smoke daily the risk rises to 25-50% addiction will develop. Lets look at it another way. Remember I mentioned the government is acting in a two faced manner? Canada, and all the Provinces have spent over a billion dollars to tell young and old to stop smoking.
Now they allow use of Cannabis, something that is smoked 78% of the time by users.
What the ….?
Provincial Governments and some Cities have become addicted to gambling and now drugs. OLG, Local Casinos, Cannabis Stores, the LCBO. The list goes on. We are told that youth cannot get involved in these items and venues, and that those who do are adults and can make the appropriate choices to do so.
All these various agencies and governments are interested in is REVENUE. To get into your pocket books, your debit and bank accounts, rifling through them while saying they are entertaining you, the consumer.
Governmental Capitalism right? They offer assistance, should you be concerned about the possibility of being addicted or out of control, but these agencies still go after you like a predator. Advertising in all media forums, these agencies gather revenue and throw it into the government’s treasury, to be used as they see fit.
Smoking Cigarettes is politically incorrect, but smoking what was formally illegal is in big time, as is the growing of these drugs. Legal Cannabis Growers in Ontario increased in 2020 to 112 outfits, while in British Columbia they rose to 62. P.E.I. has one too. Ontario will have 600-800 store locations selling this product in 2022.
Talk about uncontrolled growth, both in retail and growing the product. Holland Marsh in Ontario has dozens of legal Cannabis locations and untold illegal operations too. Drive through the marsh in spring or summer and be surrounded by the smell of pot. The traditional lands and green houses that grew vegetables, flowers and the like are now filled with Cannabis. These drugs are competing with your supply of fresh food. The very productive land that farmers have are being used to grow non-edible items. Items of questionable social use.
We know alcohol misuse causes the deaths of hundreds in Ontario annually. We also know that mental anguish and addiction within the gambling portfolio is escalating annual also. People are loosing their rent money, their life savings. Do we have control over these terrible incidents? Can we stop them from happening?
Those who make money from these venues and operations will say no way. Stuff happens and like wearing a mask during this pandemic all citizens must have the ability to choose. I know Premier Ford would say such a thing, and this surprises me knowing his family history.
Can we not agree on one thing, that we all make misguided and often stupid decisions? Placing a temptation before our fellow citizens does not make sense, or does it? Seemingly our law enforcement authorities have given up with regards to dealing with drugs development, logistics and sales. They claim to be out gunned, outnumbered and apparently out maneuvered too.
Our elected officials are frightened to increase property and sales taxes to reinforce their law enforcement agencies, so legalising addiction bombs seem to them to be the answer.
Well do you know what addiction does to your neighbours? They often waste away craving the next hit, they break the law by stealing often in a violent manner to get the funds that feed their addiction, they ignore all other responsibilities except that need to get high, they sell their bodies to raise funds, they become hermits or active family members with a huge chip on their shoulders, much like the devil on one shoulder, and angel on the other.
Addiction is everywhere, and yet you can be the strong, free healthy individual I am sure you’d like to be. Think before you act, and make the right choices for you and your loved ones.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
skaszab@yahoo.ca