Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jan 2012
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Katie May

THE POLITICS OF POT

Marijuana decriminalization may be prominent on party platforms on 
the federal political landscape, but it's not necessarily on the 
minds of southern Albertans.

While the federal Liberals and now the NDP have both announced their 
official support for the decriminalization of the drug, a recent poll 
of Albertans shows pot advocates are still in the minority. In 2011, 
only 39.5 per cent of Albertans polled were in favour of 
decriminalizing marijuana for recreational use, versus 76.5 per cent 
in favour of medical marijuana, which is already legal.

Southern Albertans thought along the same lines as the rest of the 
province, with 39.6 per cent and 76.1 per cent in favour of 
recreational and medical marijuana, respectively. The Lethbridge 
College public opinion poll shows public support for 
decriminalization is climbing, but slowly, still far from taking hold 
in the majority of the population.

And that won't change any time soon, despite two official opposition 
parties showing their support, according to the study's author, 
political scientist Faron Ellis.

"When you do see a critical mass of the political leadership in the 
country moving to one side or the other, it can have a significant 
impact on public opinion. As with same sex marriage or abortion 
choice, you're never going to have unanimity even if all of the 
parties are on the same side of the issue," he said.

"It would likely take a significant shift in the Conservatives' 
position to . . . move support for decriminalizing recreational 
marijuana to a majority, at least in Alberta."

And the Conservatives' position on marijuana doesn't seem likely to 
change in the immediate future, particularly given the Harper 
government's proposed tough crime legislation. "It's just not an 
issue that any party is going to sway a significant number of voters 
on," he said.

But, Ellis conceded, "having both the Liberals and the New Democrats, 
that is unity on the opposition, making those arguments (for 
de-criminalization) on a regular basis, it will certainly keep the 
issue alive," fuelling a debate that's been going strong in Canadian 
politics since the 1970s, supported by anti-prohibition lobbyists.

It's a battle Tara Cartwright has been fighting locally for years.

"I believe the Liberals are probably putting it on their platform 
because they're looking for votes. In Alberta, because we're such a 
Conservative stronghold, it's a huge fight for us," said Cartwright, 
the president of the Southern Alberta Cannabis Club.

She recently received her license to use medical marijuana and says 
she's hopeful more Liberal and NDP backing will push the Canadian 
government toward not only decriminalizing marijuana, but creating a 
regulated industry similar to alcohol and tobacco sales.

"It's something that could really stimulate the country's economic 
growth," Cartwright said. "I think people need to be aware that 
prohibition is very harmful to our youth . . . It's easier for them 
to go and sell pot than to go and get an education."

Still, Cartwright says making marijuana decriminalization an election 
issue could boost voter turnout across the country.

"I really believe that if legalization was on the ballot as an open 
forum for all of us to vote on, you would find and see more people 
turning up at the polls," she said. "I am optimistic. We're talking 
about it now."

"I think that's a good thing and I think we will see some change."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom