Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jul 2014
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Page: A7
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Mark Kennedy

TORIES, LIBERALS STILL AT ODDS OVER POT BAN

New York Times Latest Voice To Join Call For The Legalization Of
Marijuana

The political debate over marijuana legalization in Canada could soon
intensify, following a New York Times editorial that calls for the
U.S. federal government to repeal its 44-year ban on pot.

The influential newspaper, which says the question of legalization
should be left up to individual U.S. states, is running a six-day
series on the issue, and has reignited a hot debate among Americans.

It concluded that the ban has inflicted "great harm on society just to
prohibit a substance far less dangerous than alcohol."

The editorial comes as some U.S. states reform pot laws. Marijuana for
recreational use went on sale in Colorado Jan. 1 and Washington
followed suit this month. Oregon and Alaska will vote on the matter in
November.

Nonetheless, because a federal ban on the drug is still on the books,
those states that legalize it do so in direct contravention of federal
law.

Here in Canada, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau favours a system of
legalization that regulates the sale of pot and keeps it out of the
hands of minors.

The Liberals argue it's a "smarter" way to dealing with the issue
because it would take away the pot market from organized crime and
gangs, while also ensuring a better system of addressing the effects
of marijuana use on individual health and communities.

Deputy Liberal leader Ralph Goodale said in an interview Monday that
he welcomes the New York Times editorial.

"It's one more serious comment with a lot of intellectual heft behind
it that makes the point that the current regime of absolute
prohibition doesn't work."

Most notably, he said, the central objective of keeping pot from
youths is not working.

"All of the profit is ending up in the hands of gangs and society is
no healthier and no safer. So surely there is room for intelligent
discussion about how to do it better."

But the governing Conservatives are firmly against legalization and
have claimed in flyers distributed in some ridings that Trudeau wants
to make marijuana available to kids - an example, they say, of why he
lacks judgment to be prime minister.

The issue is slowly bubbling away and could emerge as a hot issue in
next year's federal election.

"Unlike Justin Trudeau, who wants to make marijuana easily available
to our children, we have passed laws to crack down on those who sell
drugs near schools," Prime Minister Stephen Harper's press secretary,
Carl Vallee, said in a written statement Monday.

"We do not support making access to illegal drugs easier."

Goodale struck back at the Tories for alleging that Trudeau wants to
make pot more accessible for youths.

"That's their political spin and it's a lie. I suppose they think that
if they spin that lie loud enough and long enough there will be people
who believe it."

In 2012, legislation came into force that includes a mandatory six
month jail term for growing as few as six marijuana plants for the
purpose of trafficking, and two years in prison for those caught
trafficking near a school.

Justice Minister Peter MacKay is considering a proposal from the
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police to allow police officers to
issue tickets to people caught with small amounts of marijuana.

But that's as far as the Tories seem prepared to go on softening the
law.

"Contrary to the opposition parties who can't get their heads wrapped
around sound policy, our government has been very clear - we have no
intention of legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana," said Mary Anne
Dewey-Plante, the director of communications to MacKay.

Earlier this month, Harper told supporters in Calgary that he will ask
voters in next year's election to take a hard look at what Trudeau is
offering them. He suggested Trudeau wants voters to "close their eyes"
and dream.

"Don't like crime? Just legalize marijuana and somehow it will all go
away," said the prime minister.

In 2012, the Liberals passed a resolution at their convention in
favour of legalization.

According to that resolution on marijuana, the government should
"ensure the regulation and taxation of its production, distribution,
and use, while enacting strict penalties for illegal trafficking,
illegal importation and exportation, and impaired driving."

The party also wants programs to promote awareness of the health and
dependency risks of marijuana, especially among youth.

Since then, Trudeau has become party leader and has indicated he
supports legalization.  
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D