Anthony Braganza Mary Jane 13/1/04
             Cannabis sativa, commonly known as Marijuana or Cannibis, is able to grow in roughly 30% of Canada. Thriving in warm, wet climates such as that of British Columbia, the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that the herb produces in its stems is used as a recreational drug. Smoked or eaten, THC affects the chemical balance in the user's brain temporarily establishign a state of relaxed euphoria. Currently illegal to posses or use, increasingly Canadian public has called into question the grounds on which the drug was banned. The recent admission of use by individuals such as the current Prime Minister and President lends further credibility to those who would have the drug's criminal status revoked. Canadians are currently weighing the benefits of a society in which marijuana is legalized. Once the gut-reaction of apprehension is overcome, it is apparent which scenario is superior: Marijuana should be legalized in Canada.
             The money generated by the legalization of marijuana is one reason why it should not be prohibited. Canada's wealth is largely dependant on its resources. Marijuana could concievably be one of those resources. Were it sold in a similar fashion to tabacco or alcohol, the potential for revenue generated by taxation is enormous. Tobacco taxation generates upwards of $170-million in Ontario each year. In theory, marijuana could very easily generate comparable amounts. The reality, however, is that hundreds of thousands of tax dollars are instead being spent on prevention programs and processing criminal records A potential source of profit is instead an unnessary drain. Futhermore, the export of marijuana to European countries would generate further revenue. The Canadian tourism industry would also stand to benefit from the legalization of the substance. Amsterdam, a country with very relaxed marijuana laws, has experienced an influx of tourists eager to experience its 'Ma...