Cannabis Proponents Argue That Legal Marijuana Sales Could Rake in Billions for the Government

The Liberals' October 19 victory over the tough-on-crime Conservatives prompted a succinct reaction from the unofficial leader of Canada's marijuana-reform movement.

"Holy smokes," Jodie Emery said in a telephone interview. "We were all joking about how activists are out of a job. Mission accomplished. Now what?"

In his campaign for prime minister, Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau promised his government would fully legalize and regulate the sale and consumption of recreational cannabis. That pledge went significantly further than NDP leaderThomas Mulcair's plan to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot. While decriminalization leaves supply to the black market, Trudeau insisted Canada should regulate cannabis in ways similar to how the country handles other controlled substances, such as alcohol and tobacco.

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A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

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A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

A few weeks ago, as an exercise in civic awareness, students at a high school participated in a mock federal election. They predicted a massive Liberal sweep. I wondered if the results had more to do with the prevailing sentiment for change, or Justin Trudeau's campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

In homes with teens, dinner table conversations have no doubt entered new and interesting territory. "If the government makes it legal, can I buy it?"

The short answer is: No. Trudeau hasn't fleshed out the details of how legalized marijuana will be grown and distributed, but he has made clear one of his guiding priorities is to keep it out of the hands of minors. On the campaign trail, Trudeau frequently compared our failed enforcement-based approach with Prohibition, noting kids today can get their hands on marijuana more easily than alcohol.

[continues 276 words]

Tory Move Toward Addictions Focus Draws Cautious Applause

Mental health advocates are praising the Conservatives' plan to shift the mandate of the mental health commission to research linkages between drugs and mental illness, as long as it remains arm's-length from government and the politics of its anti-drug strategy.

The shift would mark a new and what many call long overdue chapter for the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), which since its creation in 2007 has steered clear of addictions research and focused on priorities such as reducing stigma, mental health in the workplace and helping the homeless with mental illness.

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