Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jan 2013
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Jessica Murphy
Referenced: Legalization of Marijuana - Policy Paper 2013 - Liberal 
Party of Canada in BC: 
http://bc.liberal.ca/files/2013/01/DRAFT-Marijuana-Policy-Paper-Jan-13.pdf

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA 'VERY POSITIVE' FOR TAXPAYERS: B.C. LIBERAL REPORT

There's a pot industry ready to grow if the drug is legalized, an 
internal policy paper by the B.C. branch of the federal Liberals says.

The draft report - released in January to stimulate discussion on 
legalizing marijuana among Liberal members and MPs - highlights the 
drug's economic potential for creating jobs across the country in 
everything from tourism to retail.

"The economic impact of legalizing marijuana in Canada would be very 
positive for the government and taxpayers," the report states.

"Thousands of Canadians will also find direct and indirect employment."

The report builds on a policy adopted a year ago by almost 80% of 
party members to legalize and regulate marijuana. The party has yet 
to adopt ending prohibition as official policy - but all nine federal 
Liberal leadership contestants support at least modest reforms to 
Canada's pot laws.

While some - like Montreal MPs Justin Trudeau and Marc Garneau - are 
in favour of decriminalization - others including Vancouver MP Joyce 
Murray - strongly support legalizing, taxing and regulating pot.

"The evidence is clear prohibition isn't working," Murray said 
Monday. "The clear thing (the report) is saying - and I agree - is we 
want to put the criminals out of business and not to put our youth in jail."

But Murray doubts legalizing pot will create a new industry in 
Canada. With some estimates pegging pot's current Canadian retail 
market at up to $4 billion a year, she figures the jobs in industries 
like growing and selling the drug are already there.

"They'll just come out of the woodwork," she said.

Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae is leaving it up to whoever wins the 
leadership race in April to pave the way for the Grits on the 
marijuana file at the party's next biennial policy meeting.

"There will be debate and discussion on this issue - legalization, 
decriminalization, how we go forward with respect to drug laws in the 
country, particularly with marijuana," he said.

"And I assume the new leader will want to create a process that will 
allow us to come to some conclusions at the policy convention in 2014."

Liberal leadership candidates will likely be debating pot laws next 
weekend as they gear up for their second debate in Winnipeg on 
Saturday, with crime prevention among the topics up for discussion.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom