Pubdate: Wed, 26 Nov 2003
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2003, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Kim Lunman

CAUCUS MEMBERS BREAK WITH LAYTON ON MARIJUANA POLICY

OTTAWA -- NDP Leader Jack Layton's call for legalizing marijuana is not 
getting the support of all of his MPs.

Earlier this month, Mr. Layton told the Vancouver-based Internet site Pot 
TV that marijuana is "a wonderful substance" that should be legalized and 
urged pot smokers to vote for the NDP in the federal election next spring.

The New Democrats' current policy on marijuana laws endorses 
decriminalization, and some New Democrat MPs say it should stay that way.

"My position is quite clear," said Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer. "I support 
decriminalization, not legalization."

Manitoba MP Bev Desjarlais does not support Mr. Layton's call for 
legalization either: "I think there's a need to decriminalize at this point 
in time." But when asked about Mr. Layton's much-publicized appearance on 
Pot TV, she replied: "I have to admit I didn't watch Pot TV. I would have 
to hear what the party would have to say." The party's policy will be 
discussed at a caucus meeting in Ottawa next month.

"I'll be urging that we move beyond decriminalization," Mr. Layton said in 
an interview. "We need to modernize our laws." No other leader of a major 
federal political party has come out in support of legalizing marijuana.

Mr. Layton's comments are creating a buzz among members of the Marijuana Party.

Dana Larsen, leader of British Columbia's Marijuana Party and editor of 
Cannabis Culture magazine, has resigned from his political post to seek the 
NDP nomination in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast.

"They [the Alliance and the Tories] have the unite-the-right going," he 
said. "We have unite-the-left going." Marc Emery, the founder of Pot TV, is 
urging marijuana activists to join the NDP in the next election instead of 
the national Marijuana Party.

The millionaire marijuana-seed grower has attached a link to the NDP's 
website on the Pot TV website and is airing a debate Saturday with Boris 
St-Maurice, leader of the federal Marijuana Party, on the issue.

Mr. St-Maurice said he may consent not to run candidates in a few key 
ridings where a Marijuana Party member has won the nomination for the NDP, 
but he will not pull his national slate of candidates.

The Marijuana Party didn't run a full slate of candidates in the 2000 
federal election. It got only about one-half per cent of the vote.

Mr. St-Maurice said he is reluctant to endorse the NDP because it has not 
been clear about its policy.

"If we're going to support a party, I suppose the potheads should go to the 
Liberals," he said, referring to the government's recently introduced 
legislation to decriminalize possession of amounts of marijuana up to 15 
grams. Tickets and fines would be issued, and offenders would not have 
criminal records.

Mr. Layton has said he supports the findings of a Senate report last year 
that recommends marijuana be legalized and regulated like alcohol.

The report called on Ottawa to relax cannabis laws and to redirect money 
spent prosecuting minor charges in order to fight drug trafficking and 
substance abuse.

Vancouver MP Libby Davies said she supports legalizing marijuana but said 
the party's 14 MPs and Mr. Layton need to discuss the issue further. Lorne 
Nystrom, a Regina New Democratic MP, also supports legalization.

"If it's legalized, it also has to be regulated," he said, adding: "I 
certainly don't advocate smoking marijuana." But Dick Proctor, another 
Saskatchewan MP from the party, said he is undecided. "I want to hear all 
of the arguments on both sides before I make up my mind."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens