Pubdate: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON) Copyright: 2013 Cornwall Standard Freeholder Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/letters Website: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169 Author: Fred Mallach Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n363/a01.html TRUDEAU TAKES A STAND Re: "High hopes for common sense drug policy," Cornwall Standard-Freeholder, POV, July 27. In a letter to the Times Colonist newspaper in Victoria, British Columbia, last fall before the campaign for the Liberal Party's new leader, I challenged Justin Trudeau to support the legalization of marijuana. "If Justin Trudeau really wants to win the leadership of the Liberal Party and ultimately form the governing party, he needs to promise to end the prohibition of marijuana ...If Trudeau wants to win seats in B.C., he should think about this issue and step up." I give kudos to Trudeau for taking my advice. Actually, I can't take any credit for his decision. Just as the Conservative Party can't pin the move towards legalization on Trudeau. I have been monitoring the reaction in the media to Trudeau's announcement last week supporting the legalization of marijuana. The reaction is intense. Both sides of the issue have jumped at the chance to express their opinions. In the comment section following an article in the Province newspaper in vancouver, B.C., someone wrote the following: "I have never voted Liberal in my life, but I will if he legalizes pot." In small-town newspapers in rural Ontario, one editorial appeared numerous times, deriding Trudeau for his position. Margaret Wente in the Globe and Mail characterizes individuals who use cannabis as stoners. Justin Trudeau might have found a way to split the right and the left with this issue. I am looking forward to the next election. Fred Mallach Victoria, B.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom