Pubdate: Wed, 07 Aug 2013
Source: Morinville News, The (CN AB)
Contact:  2013 The Morinville News
Website: http://morinvillenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5465
Author: Tristan Turner

CANNABIS DISSONANCE

Recently the newly elected leader of the Federal Liberals, Justin 
Trudeau, said at a rally in Kelowna that he doesn't support the 
decriminalization of marijuana. Instead, he clearly and excitedly 
stated, "I'm in favour of legalizing it, taxing it and regulating 
it." In an interview later he clarified that is indeed his stance on 
the issue, despite his stance against legalization up to this point.

Well, that's a curveball.

In response, Conservative Minister Peter MacKay stated, rather 
predictably, the CPC party line and unpopular opinion against 
legalization; despite overwhelming evidence supporting that the 
legalization and regulation of marijuana limits adolescent use, 
significantly disrupts organized crime and reduces health related 
risks from consuming the currently illicit substance.

Now, here is where it gets weird. In response, Megan Leslie, Deputy 
Leader of the Federal NDP, and a woman whom I have met multiple times 
and have the utmost respect for, stated that Justin Trudeau is merely 
"pandering" to young voters with this new stance and that he "doesn't 
fully understand the consequences" of legalization.

To Megan and the party I hold dearest, I would say stop being so silly.

Instead of standing with the majority of Canadians - as proven in 
multiple national public opinion polls - in supporting the 
legalization of marijuana, the New Democrats have positioned 
themselves in an unusual position that's not helpful for them or the country.

Now the NDP are saying in the media they support decriminalization, 
which is a really nebulous policy stance that makes almost nobody 
happy. Those on the right of the issue, that like the war on drugs as 
it is - a war - are never going to support their stance of 
decriminalizing the substance. Yet, those on the left of the issue 
would rather stand with the Liberals in supporting full legalization, 
because from an objective perspective, decriminalization makes little 
logical sense when compared with legalization.

Under decriminalization, people wouldn't be punished for possessing 
or consuming cannabis, but organized crime would still be its primary 
distributor. It would not be federally regulated to ensure that the 
substance is not laced with far more damaging substances, and the 
government wouldn't receive tax revenue from the sale of marijuana.

Decriminalization doesn't make sense from any perspective, and seems 
to be an option made from a point of indecision or abstention between 
two clear choices: legalization or the status quo.

It's shocking to me as a longtime member and supporter of the NDP 
that my party would, instead of standing with the majority of 
Canadians in support of legalization, chose to seemingly abstain from 
the argument following Mr. Trudeau's sudden policy change.

In speaking with NDP members and MPs it's clear to me many of their 
heart stands with legalization. So why this sudden bout of 
uncertainty? If New Democrats want to be elected, they need to be 
decisive and clear about their policy stances. We're not fooling 
anyone - we're New Democrats, not Liberals.

On this issue, the Liberals have maneuvered themselves exactly where 
they need to be. The majority of the Liberal base either supports 
legalization or doesn't care either way. Now, if they want to win the 
next election, Liberals are better positioned to make converts out of 
New Democrat voters, rather than Conservatives, who are prone to not 
voting for any progressive candidates. By standing clearly in support 
of legalization, they've certainly won a few already, and the rest of 
the NDPs core supporters are left scratching their heads.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom