Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jul 2013
Source: Recorder & Times, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Recorder and Times
Contact: http://www.recorder.ca/letters
Website: http://www.recorder.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2216
Author: Jessica Murphy
Page: A7
Cited: Drug Policy Alliance: http://www.drugpolicy.org/

TRUDEAU PROPOSES LEGALIZING POT

OTTAWA - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's pot legalization stance may
be a hit with the Grit grassroots, but not so with the governing
Conservatives, the pontiff and at least one international ally.

Mexican Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena said his
country is open to an alternative to the war on drugs, but legalizing
drugs - even pot - isn't on the table for his government.

"We personally don't believe drug legalization is a solution, but we
welcome (the idea) that a debate should be held around those issues,"
he said during an official visit to Ottawa on Thursday.

Meade Kuribrena was in town to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister John
Baird. The pair discussed issues such as tourism, trade, the economy
and transnational crime linked to drugs.

"It's an issue that does not recognize borders, it's an issue that
must be faced through intelligence, through co-operation, and through
a perspective that goes beyond one country's policy," he said.

Earlier this week, Trudeau announced he's for legalizing, taxing and
regulating pot - a shift from his stance during the Liberal leadership
race when he endorsed its decriminalization. His new position was
supported by a majority of party members at their 2012 policy
convention. Trudeau argues government oversight is the best way to
keep pot away from teens.

"If we control and regulate it, then we have a better way to make sure
anyone who buys it in a regulated environment is of age to make that
decision, similar to alcohol or cigarettes. It's an easier way to keep
it out of the hands of our kids where it does the most harm," he said
Wednesday at a rally in British Columbia.

The Tories take a tough stance on drugs, including marijuana, and
aren't interested in changing tack.

"These drugs are illegal because of the harmful effect they have on
users and on society," a spokesman for Justice Minister Peter MacKay
said.

Mexico and a few Latin American countries have struggled with
drug-related violence caused by the international narcotics trade.

According to the Drug Policy Alliance, a U.S.-based think-tank focused
on drug policy reform, over 70,000 people have been killed since 2006
in Mexico's drug wars.

But former Mexican president Vincente Fox has turned into an outspoken
advocate for drug legalization - an idea gaining traction in parts of
the Americas.

On Thursday in Brazil, Pope Francis warned against that trend, arguing
it would do more harm than good.

- - with files from Reuters
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MAP posted-by: Matt