News Worth Knowing #10

It's time for a public health approach to marijuana use

Since the possession of marijuana was criminalized in Canada in 1923, Canadians now are starting to become more educated regarding it's affects and the role it plays in Canada's street crime.

I don't think the Canadian government should be just as strict and resentful regarding the availability of marijuana as the United States. Unlike George Bush, none of our Prime Ministers have so formally declared a 'War on Drugs.' Although I believe that it is still important that we continue to defend our nation's security by intercepting drug cartels attempting to breach our borders, I don't think our government should spend so much of its police forces' resources confiscating marijuana as America's government does.

I think our government should be more committed to the education of marijuana to the public than the physical intervention of the public being able to obtain it.

News Worth Knowing #9

Canadians can legally own a wide range of exotic guns - and they do
It is legal in Canada to purchase a wide variety of deadly ordinances including assault rifles shotguns. The Yukon has the most gun owners in the entire country with provinces like British Columbia , Quebec, and Ontario having the least population of gun owners.


I was rather surprised when I came across this article. One of the many things America is known for today is how easy it is to obtain firearms and ammunition. I had no idea that Canada was just as much of a 'firearm-friendly' as America. This worries me to some degree because what I've heard in documentaries like "Bowling for Columbine" and the media is that having such easy access to firearms legally was one of America's greatest flaws. Although it is understandable that the Yukon, being located in such a rural area with plenty of hunting grounds would also be the most "gun-loving" area in the country. However, I highly doubt that fully automatic assault rifles like the TAR-21 are traditionally used for hunting deer.

I think Canada should have tighter restrictions for gun owners being able to purchase and own firearms with an 'excessive firing power.' I'm sure I'm not the only one here that would feel just a little bit uncomfortable, if not suspicious, if my next door neighbour happened to own a high powered assault rifle capable tearing through helicopters, cars, and more dramatically, even the heaviest body armor worn by Canadian soldiers and police.