People who want the legalization of marijuana to succeed in Canada should welcome the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s recent suggestion to Premier Kathleen Wynne that private retailers be permitted to sell the drug. Wynne has mused about selling marijuana exclusively through Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) outlets, which currently hold a virtual monopoly on liquor sales in the province. If legalization offers more choice, a better experience, reasonable prices and more individually tailored products, it will draw people away from the black market and send marijuana sales into the safe and cleansing light of day. It is self-defeating for anyone who wants marijuana legalization to work to suggest treating the substance to the same over-regulation that alcohol currently suffers. It’s surprising a chamber of commerce wouldn’t understand this basic rule of commerce.

Source: National Post September 16, 2016 03:56 UTC