There seems to be a rather large problem with Bill C-51 that has been overlooked by our policy makers and health officials alike: nobody seems to understand the bill. The premise is simple enough: treat all medications the same way. If you want to sell something that claims to cure cancer, then prove that it cures cancer. That’s it. Simple.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a rather large opposition to this bill, and the basis of this opposition seems to stem from a gross misunderstanding of it. The C-51 Opposition Party is a big tent, ranging from FDA paranoia to the belief that this bill aims to ban all herbal remedies.

To clarify, this bill will not ban herbal remedies. It will require that all drugs marketed as cures or treatments will be subjected to the same standards. This would not prevent people from selling, purchasing or consuming non-harmful (and legal) substances. This is about health claims and fraud… that’s all.

I can’t help but think how much smaller the opposition to this bill would be if people only understood what it was about. The conspiracy theorists would probably still rant about how this is another scheme by Big Pharma to steal our money, make us sick, and extract our surplus value… but those people are already a lost cause. Hell, if you really wanted to, you could still sell Orgone crystals!

Here’s my challenge to you: If you are not in favour of Bill C-51, go and read it. Make sure you understand the terminology, and what each section means. Afterwards, if you still think it’s a bad idea, come back and chat.