Pubdate: Sat, 24 Aug 2013
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2013 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Authors: Bill Curry and Josh Wingrove (With reports from Jane Taber and
Adrian Morrow)
Page: A3

POLITICIANS CLEAR THE AIR ON PAST POT USE

Justin Trudeau's admission that he smoked marijuana while an MP has
compelled other officials to answer the burning question

Canada's political class has spent the past few days being buttonholed
by the media about drug use after Justin Trudeau's revelation that he
smoked marijuana while an MP.

Responses have included admissions, jokes, mild condemnation and a
note of concern from one federal minister about how much politicians
should be expected to share about what they do when they are not at
work.

"I think politicians are entitled to private lives," said Conservative
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, who was asked on Friday during a
news conference with his Indonesian counterpart whether he had ever
smoked weed.

Mr. Baird stated in both languages that his answer is
no.

"I came of age politically in the 1980s and I can recall when one of
president [Ronald] Reagan's nominees for the Supreme Court had to
withdraw because of his use of that substance. So, I took my example
from that," he said.

While Mr. Trudeau's comments have triggered a debate about political
leadership, they also come as police groups are challenging the status
quo in the enforcement of Canada's drug policies - suggesting
offenders be ticketed, not arrested.

The renewed discussion, inspired in part by pro-legalization
referendums in the United States, is reviving interest in the policy
options. The last major federal study, done by the Senate in 2002,
recommended marijuana be legalized and regulated in a similar way to
tobacco and alcohol.

The Harper government has so far rejected such an approach and has
approved stiffer penalties related to marijuana. Conservative Justice
Minister Peter MacKay - who said on Friday he had never smoked pot -
strongly condemned Mr. Trudeau this week as "a poor example for all
Canadians."

Others opted for a joke when asked about the subject.

"We'll let Canadians interpret Mr. Trudeau's words and actions. All I
can say is I would like to make a public confession that I do drink
coffee," Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said, adding that he has
never smoked marijuana. "No. But I've been drinking coffee for many
years."

Michelle Rempel - Canada's Minister of State for Western Economic
Diversification and, at 33, the youngest Conservative MP - said in a
written message she has never smoked marijuana "thanks to a very
competitive flute ensemble and a very, very watchful mama (thanks Mom!)."

Ontario Liberal Finance Minister Charles Sousa and Progressive
Conservative MPP Jeff Yurek both said on Friday they have not smoked
marijuana since entering elected office and had more important
subjects to worry about.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall told a newspaper in 2007 he smoked
"infrequently" during his younger years, saying "it didn't really do
anything for me." Alberta Premier Alison Redford says she has never
smoked marijuana, while Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he once
did so infrequently. He supports legalization.

"People look at the billions being spent on law enforcement and bigger
prisons and think, 'Is this the best way we could be spending our tax
dollars?' " Mr. Robertson said in a statement.

Other federal Conservative ministers are on record.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Treasury Board President Tony
Clement answered the question in 2002, when they were vying for the
leadership of the Ontario PC Party.

"Yeah, in my teenage years =C2=85 a couple of times," Mr. Flaherty said. 
"I
have to admit: I didn't like it."

Mr. Clement said drugs are not his thing."Not even a cigarette," he
said in 2002. "It's true. I'm not controversial."

Bill Clinton's 1992 comment while running for the Democratic
presidential nomination that he "didn't inhale" may be the most famous.

But Prime Minister Stephen Harper - who usually says he never smoked
pot because of his asthma - once gave a far more colourful response at
a high school in Listowel, Ont.

"I like to tell people I was offered a joint once, but I was too drunk
to smoke it," he said in 2004, while leader of the Canadian Alliance.
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