Pubdate: Sun, 29 Dec 2013 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2013 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Jenn Gearey Page: 16 Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor. HARD STANCE ON POT Re: "Tories need strategy if pot's high on agenda." Thank you for the opportunity to correct this editorial. Minister Peter MacKay did not provide any exclusive interview to QMI Agency this week. More importantly, the Conservative government, including MacKay, has been clear: we will not decriminalize or legalize marijuana. These drugs are illegal because of the harmful effects they have on users and on society. Prime Minister Harper stated in late August, and MacKay has reiterated in mid December, that our government would look at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police's (CACP) proposal to ticket small amounts of marijuana. The CACP has also communicated that it does not support the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana and opposes Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party proposal to legalize it. To do so would make it more available to Canadian children. Our government will not relent in protecting families and communities across this country. We have strengthened the ability of police to target drug dealers and grow-ops and will continue to improve our criminal justice system. Jenn Gearey DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER PETER MCKAY - ---------------------- (Thanks for clarifying.) - --- MAP posted-by: Matt