Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jul 2014
Source: Vaughan Citizen (CN ON)
Page:10
Copyright: 2014 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/vaughan-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2432
Authors: Tim Kelly and Adam Martin-Robbins
Referenced: 2014 national justice survey:
http://mapinc.org/url/5DpzjD3O

FANTINO POT FLYER RILES TOP LIBERAL

Subtle it's not.

The flyer that landed in Vaughan mailboxes Wednesday claims Liberal
Leader Justin Trudeau has gone to pot - and said he wants young people
to go there, too.

"The Liberal Agenda: Sell Pot! In local stores", shows a young teen 
lighting up a joint with Trudeau's smiling mug and a marijuana leaf 
in the background.

The flyer says Trudeau smoked pot as a member of Parliament (he admits
to that), but also states he visits schools to tell kids pot should be
legal.

The flyer also tells residents that next on the Trudeau agenda will be
plans to "make pot legal for companies to grow and sell like tobacco
and to display and sell pot in local stores".

That's an issue for Liberal Deputy leader Ralph Goodale, who blasted
the Conservatives over the flyer, which is similar to ones that have
reportedly been distributed in other ridings across the country.

"It reflects a high degree of desperation in Conservative ranks and it
reflects very low ethical standards," Goodale told The Citizen
Wednesday afternoon. "Their whole approach to politics is character
assassination. They don't want to have an adult conversation about how
you fix a serious social issue. They simply want to deal with smears
and lies and innuendoes. And, I think, Canadians are fed up with that.
.. It's tawdry, it's demeaning and it says this is a government that
has just run out of gas."

Fantino, a former top cop who is well-known for his tough-on-crime
stance, is not backing down from the claims made in the flyer.

"Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau will fully legalize recreational
marijuana, which would make it easier for young people especially to
buy and smoke in their neighbourhoods, much like cigarettes today,"
Fantino wrote in an email statement to The Citizen Wednesday afternoon.

"It is ironic that the Liberal Party's singular policy priority is to
fully legalize recreational marijuana, thereby making smoking
marijuana a normal everyday activity for Canadians," added the
Veterans Affairs minister.

Fantino said it was Conservative government policy to "continue to
protect children and teens from the harmful effects of drugs on their
health and development.

"As a grandparent, former police leader and as a member of Parliament,
I strongly stand with Vaughan families who, like me, want their
government to protect our children, and not make drugs more
accessible; this is a well-considered and informed position I have a
duty to share with my constituents."

Goodale said Trudeau is trying, through legalization, to make sure
marijuana is properly regulated and taxed so "it is less likely the
material will fall into the hands of young people.

"He has been very clear about this whenever he has spoken publicly, in
whatever forum, everywhere in the country. He said exactly the same
thing: that the current policy has clearly failed because we, in
Canada, have, unfortunately, one of the highest marijuana usage rates
among young people in the world," Goodale said.

"So whatever the legal structure is right now, it's clearly not
working. It's a failed policy. It's a different approach, a new
approach, but it's one that has a better chance of success than the
failed policy that the Conservatives are embracing."

A recent poll of 3,000 people conducted by the Canadian Department of
Justice revealed 70 per cent of Canadians believe pot laws should be
relaxed.

The breakdown showed 37.3 per cent said the government should legalize
marijuana, while 33.4 per cent said the possession of small amounts
should be decriminalized.

Just 13.7 per cent of those who responded supported the status quo and
12 per cent said they wanted harsher penalties.

In terms of enforcement, police chiefs have been calling for ticketing
for illegal possession of marijuana.

"Under the current legislation, the only enforcement option for
police, when confronted with simple possession of cannabis, is either
to turn a blind eye or lay charges," said association of police chiefs
president Jim Chu last year. "The latter ensues a lengthy and
difficult process which, if proven guilty, results in a criminal
conviction and criminal record."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D