The controversial ‘weed legalization’ announcement that came out earlier this week from the Trudeau government is being swept off the table for consideration before it has even officially been put forward. The strong opposition that has been vocalized in the few days since the proposed bill was leaked has forced Liberal members to retreat with their proverbial tails – and legalized joints – between their legs.

On Monday, a senior official from the Liberal party confirmed to CBC that the government intended to introduce a piece of legislation on April 10^th – coincidentally, ten days before the national pot holiday (4/20) – that would see federal legalization of the green buds.

But shortly after this announcement was made, the Canadian public took to arming themselves against the government’s irrational proposal.

A Facebook group by the name of, “Gram of Green = A Pound of Flesh” was quickly formed. It was made up of a group of concerned parents and public health officials who all shared the same values that they believe most Canadians can identify with; that is, curbing the number of obese Canadians through the effects of munchies.

You may wonder how the two coincide, that is marijuana use and Canada’s obesity problem – we currently rank number 25 for the most obese countries in the world – but when you look at the facts, it’s actually painfully clear.

Marijuana, a drug most commonly consumed by young people between the ages of 18-24, is a well-known stimulant for appetite. And what parents and doctors, both rightfully so, fear is that by legalizing marijuana we will in effect encourage careless consumption; or what is better known as ‘the munchies’.

Just ask any corner store or 7-11 about the sheer number of hazy eyed college students that come wandering into their shops at all hours of the night, grabbing everything and anything they can reach off the fluorescent-lit shelves.

“I saw one kid come in grab a hot dog, ice cream, Cheetos, and a pineapple,” said one store clerk, who asked to remain anonymous for the security of his business. “I mean c’mon. That’s not a balanced meal.”

The ‘Pound of Flesh’ advocacy group raises the valid concern that young people are already at risk of becoming overweight with the far too easily available high-fat, high-sugar processed foodstuffs in the stores.

“By throwing weed into the mix, you might as well just hook these kids up to a sugar and salt valve,” posted one of the parents in the group.

“Weed and food. The only combination more lethal that I can think of is alcohol and pain killers,” said another concerned parent. In the past five days the group has collected more than 10,000 signatures asking that the bill not even be brought into parliament.

The Liberal party, obviously quite embarrassed about this obvious oversight, has since retracted their move to legalize the green plant.

The political party that has also been contending to be considered the ‘pro-pot’ party, the NDP, was also seen to quickly reverse their opinion as the onslaught of negative feedback was voiced across the country from public health officials to public educators.

“We understand the grave nature of the munchies, and in no way want to condone said lifestyle choices,” reported one senior official from the NDP party.