Pubdate: Wed, 12 Aug 2015
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Don Peat
Page: 4

PM FIRM ON DRUGS

'Most Canadians' Don't Want Marijuana Legalized, Harper Says

When it comes to legalizing marijuana, Conservative Leader Stephen 
Harper is just saying no and he thinks "most Canadians" agree. Harper 
warned voters Tuesday that only a Conservative government would 
maintain a tough stance on marijuana and supervised injection sites. 
Both the Liberals and NDP have come out in favour of loosening the 
laws around marijuana but Harper argued that was the "wrong direction 
for society."

"The truth of the matter is, most Canadians - you actually ask them - 
do not want the full legalization of marijuana," Harper said. "When 
you go down that route, marijuana becomes more readily available to 
children, more people become addicted to it and the health outcomes 
become worse.

"I think it is actually tragic, in fact, we have more and more data 
about the consequences of long-term marijuana use and how really bad 
they are for health on so many levels."

The prime minister delivered his anti-drug comments during a campaign 
stop in Markham where he pledged $5 million more for Canada's 
National Anti-Drug Strategy if the Conservatives were re-elected in 
October. Around $500,000 would go towards a national toll-free 
anti-drug helpline for parents while $4.5 million would give a 20% 
budget bump to the RCMP's clandestine drug lab teams.

The Liberals swung back at Harper's pot comments.

"Stephen Harper's approach to drugs is failing our children," Hedy 
Fry, Liberal Party candidate for Vancouver Centre, said in a 
statement. "According to a WHO report, Canada has the highest teen 
marijuana usage amongst all countries surveyed, and the current 
system serves to fund gangs and criminal elements.

"The Liberal solution is clear: If we pass smart laws that tax and 
strictly regulate marijuana, we can better protect our kids, while 
preventing millions of dollars from going into the pockets of 
criminal organizations and street gangs."

Murray Rankin, the NDP candidate in Victoria, stressed drug policy 
should be "based on evidence."

"New Democrats have long said that no one should be going to jail or 
be stuck with a criminal record for possession of marijuana for 
personal use," Rankin said. "When it comes to marijuana, we need an 
approach that focuses on health promotion, public education, and 
safety. That's why we're calling for a study that would examine the 
issue fully before making further changes."

- - with files from the Canadian Press
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom