Pubdate: Thu, 22 Oct 2015
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Jocelyne Richer
Page: 35

LEGALIZED POT PLANS UPSET QUEBEC POLITICIANS

QUEBEC - The new federal government's promise to legalize marijuana is
raising concerns among Quebec's political class.

Some cabinet ministers didn't hide their discomfort when asked
Wednesday about the prospect of legalized pot in the near future after
the Liberal victory in this week's federal election.

Public Security Minister Lise Theriault says questions of public
safety are paramount and must prevail, adding that many people share
that concern.

"We should be worried, definitely, it's something that can really
upset a lot of people, including me," Theriault said.

While it hasn't rejected the idea outright, the Couillard government
wants to see detailed plans from the new Liberal government in Ottawa.

Justin Trudeau, the prime minister-designate, has promised to legalize
cannabis by selling and taxing it much like alcohol, but hasn't said
how quickly that might happen.

The federal Liberals argue legalization means the drug will be less
accessible to minors and will snuff out the ability of criminal groups
to profit from the pot trade.

Theriault said she's never used marijuana, preferring "dinners with
friends with a nice bottle of wine" and travelling south to escape the
daily grind.

Asked if he'd consumed marijuana, Finance Minister Carlos Leitao let
on he had.

"We were all 18 once," Leitao said. "It brings back memories."
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MAP posted-by: Matt