First this is in no way a political missive, I don't care which party or which person is our Prime Minister.
Whomever it is, I am opposed to their plan to legalize marijuana next July, and for the golf industry it is just a pain in the butt...
My good pal Kevin Thistle, the new President of the PGA of Canada, has been writing about his concerns, in particular the lack of guidelines he can provide to staff across the country to deal with this awful decision.
Like me Kevin is not a weed smoker, like me he doesn't care whether you do or don't.. until it affects those who don't.
Imagine having a twosome joining you, only to find out they are sparking up every other hole while driving their cart, and stinking you out of yours! You ask them to stop and they say "hey man, cool it, this is legal now baby"
Imagine them getting in their cars after smoking up all day. Right now staff serving alcohol have to attend training before they can sell you a beer. Golf course staff are held responsible by the courts, if someone gets in their car over the limit and gets caught. How will staff adjudge the affects on drivers who are smoking weed.
I can honestly say in all my 50 odd years playing and covering this game, I can't remember the last time I played with or even smelled anyone smoking weed on the course. So it's fair to assume that as of July 1 a majority of your members are going to be very annoyed at those who take advantage of the legalization, and that is going to be another hassle for staff to deal with.
When you start to think about it, the problems go on and on, as I said a real pain in the butt for the golf industry.
Further to that and lastly, we as parents, teachers, policemen have been warning our kids about the perils of drugs, including weed and yes all the studies show the connection from weed to more serious drugs. How the heck can we just simply tell them it's ok as of July 1, we've been wrong all these years?
High schools cannot and do not try to stop underage smoking as long as the kids are off property. Now you can add marijuana to that sentence.
Imagine how stoned those who partake can get before, during and after classes. Imagine them standing on your front lawn smoking weed in front of your young children. Imagine you being stunk out of your own apartment, etc etc....All with no more recourse.
You won't be able to call the police anymore.... because it will be legal.
What a disaster, I just can't believe the leader of our great country can't see all of this, no matter how much drug money helps balance the budget.
Bryan Angus
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