Pubdate: Fri, 11 Sep 2015
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Peter O'Neil
Page: A2

LIBERAL CANDIDATE QUITS OVER POT COMMENT

OTTAWA - A Liberal candidate in B.C. abandoned her candidacy on
Thursday after Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau distanced himself from
her controversial comments on marijuana.

Joy Davies, running in South Surrey-White Rock against former Surrey
mayor Dianne Watts, was quoted on Facebook and in a subsequent
interview as saying that it's fine for parents to smoke pot at home
with children present. Even, she said, if the mother is pregnant.

"The children of the mothers who used it during pregnancy had higher
IQs and were better socially established than the children whose
mothers didn't," Davies told Huffington Post Canada.

Trudeau, whose party advocates legalization of marijuana, said in
Vancouver early Thursday that Davies' comments reflect neither the
party position nor his personal views.

"The Liberal party took the position we have to control and regulate
marijuana primarily for one reason. Mr. Harper's approach is currently
not protecting our children," he told reporters in Vancouver.

Late Thursday, Davies took to Facebook again: "After much
consideration, I have decided to resign as the Liberal candidate for
South Surrey-White Rock, effective immediately. I believe in the work
that the Liberal team is doing and my personal opinion and past
comments should not distract from what is most important right now -
ensuring all Canadians receive the real change and new leadership they
deserve."

Tory leader Stephen Harper condemned the candidate in a speech in
Saint John. "This is the kind of thing that comes with Justin
Trudeau's advocacy for the full legalization of marijuana, and it is
totally irresponsible and we will not stand for that," he said.

- - with a file from Jeff Lee
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt