The Global Commission on Drug Policy salutes Stop the Violence BC and sends a message to the Senate

The Global Commission on Drug Policy is comprised of significant world leaders that are calling for change in the way we approach problem drug use and the war on drugs. Today the Global Commission appealed, in an open letter to the Canadian Senate to reject the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for minor marijuana offenses as proposed in Bill C-10, which is being debated by the Canadian Senate. In addition, the Commission recommends Canadians evaluate possibilities around taxing and regulating cannabis as an alternative strategy to undermine organized crime and improve community health and safety.

“The Global Commission supports Stop the Violence BC’s suggested approach of regulating marijuana under a public health framework,” said Ilona Szabo, spokesperson for the Secretariat of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.

“Mandatory minimum sentences and further reinforcement of prohibition are not rational or prudent solutions.”

Kudos to Stop the Violence BC (STVBC), a coalition of health professionals who have been consistently pointing out the absurdity of criminalizing the production, sale and possession of cannabis in British Columbia.The evidence clearly shows that cannabis prohibition actually increases harms to individuals and communities across Canada. STVBC is calling for a rational process of change that would see cannabis become a regulated and controlled substance and taken out of the unregulated illegal drug market. The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition is a member of the STVBC Coalition and is also calling for the end to the criminalization of people who use drugs.

Throwing people in jail does nothing to help communities address problematic substance use or help individuals access health services should they need them.

The winds of change are blowing and public opinion supports this change. Keep in touch with us and check out STVBC.organd see what you can do to work towards a drug policy for Canada that is based on principles of public health and human rights and scientific evidence.

 

About Donald MacPherson

Donald MacPherson is the Executive Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition and one of Canada’s leading figures in drug policy. In 2000 he published Vancouver’s groundbreaking Four Pillars Drug Strategy that precipitated a broad public discussion on issues related to addiction.