Pubdate: Mon, 26 Aug 2013
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Dave Breakenridge
Page: 15

TRUDEAU'S POSITION ON POT A LITTLE HAZY

For years, writers on these pages have decried needless government
intrusion into our lives.

That we need to be nannied in every aspect of our lives is something
we don't take lightly.

Lorne Gunter, Anthony Furey, Ian Robinson, Colman Byfield and others,
myself included, have taken to task the notion that the government has
any business dictating what we eat, what sports we play, where we buy
booze, what guns we can own or what substances we smoke.

"It criminalizes commerce. It criminalizes gardening," Furey wrote
about pot prohibition earlier this year in a piece entitled "The
conservative pro-pot argument." Exactly. So while it is somewhat
encouraging to see any federal politician take on the hazy issue of
pot prohibition, it's maddening the person doing it is a
big-government liberal and, worse, a hypocrite.

Justin Trudeau recently came out in favour of legalization of
marijuana in this country, then went further, saying he has smoked
weed while an MP.

A bold move, likely one to help set him apart from his older rivals
and curry favour with a certain demographic of voters.

But I hope those who were fawning over his admission actually take a
look at his public record on pot.

He has been cool to legalization, according to a recent editorial: "He
has said legalization would likely increase marijuana consumption,
which is 'not great for your health' and 'disconnects you a little bit
from the world,' adding, 'I don't know that it's entirely consistent
with the kind of society we're trying to build.'"

In 2010, he even spoke out against decriminalization: "I lived in
Whistler for years and have seen the effects," Trudeau told Maclean's.
"We need all our brain cells to deal with our problems."

You could say that his position on the issue "has matured over the
years," which is natural, I suppose, among politicians who are seeking
the country's highest office.

What really gets me in all this is that during the period the
pot-smoking occurred while he was an MP for Papineau, Trudeau actually
voted in favour of legislation to create mandatory minimums for
growing as few as six plants.

You can't on one hand smoke pot while on the other vote for mandatory
minimums and expect to be taken seriously as a leader.

The fact Trudeau has smoked pot doesn't make him special, or more
equipped to lead the country.

I am willing to give him credit for taking a stance in favour of
getting the government the hell out of people's private lives. But
Trudeau's record says he is not the guy to do it.

Trudeau's admission came on the heels of another interesting
development on the pot file.

The country's top cops pitched making pot possession a ticketable
offence, in a move to cut down on court costs, manpower and paperwork,
and raise a little scratch.

The pragmatist in me wants to see this as a step in the right
direction. But I'm bothered by the fact that police still want to hang
onto the ability to lay a more serious charge even if ticketing is
approved.

Either pot smokers are a criminal scourge (hint: they're not), or
they're no worse than speeders. They can't be both.

And if the notion is that it's not worth pursuing court cases against
these people, then why even bother with a charge to begin with?

If the threat of criminal charges doesn't stop millions from smoking
pot a ticket sure won't.

Even as the country seems to be taking steps forward on an issue of
personal freedom, we're still marching in place.

Stop harshing our buzz.
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MAP posted-by: Matt