Pubdate: Sat, 24 Aug 2013
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Page: Front Page
Copyright: 2013 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Author: Steve Sharratt

PROHIBITION ON MARIJUANA TO END: MACAULAY

DUNDAS - The prohibition of marijuana will eventually come to an end 
much like the rum in the hold of the Nellie J. Banks, suggests 
Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay.

"It will take it out of the hands of criminals and put it in the 
hands of government like a bottle of rum," said the Island MP during 
a visit to the Dundas Plow Match here Friday. "Today, it seems to be 
available anywhere you go."

MacAulay was responding to comments by Liberal leader Justin Trudeau 
this week that marijuana should be decriminalized and brought into 
the fold of government controls much like alcohol is currently 
distributed. The Nellie J. Banks was a famous P.E.I. rum running ship 
that smuggled spirits from St. Pierre-Miquelon during prohibition in the 1930s.

"The last Liberal policy convention passed that marijuana be 
decriminalized and this is the next step for Mr. Trudeau...that's 
where the Liberals are going and I support the move basically," he 
said as the sounds of Okie from Muskogee drifted from the 
entertainment bandstand.

Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay spoke Friday about comments by Liberal 
leader Justin Trudeau this week that marijuana should be 
decriminalized and brought into the fold of government controls much 
like alcohol is currently distributed.

Last week the police chiefs of Canada called for tickets to be handed 
out for possession of larger amounts of marijuana rather than tying 
up officers and the court system with charges against individuals 
with one joint. Any change in the law is expected to be at least 
three years away.

"The police realize that so much money is spent dealing with someone 
with a marijuana cigarette and we're not dealing with the larger 
supplier of whatever drug."

The MP said he would undoubtedly be hearing from constituents who 
agree and disagree with the move as Trudeau visits P.E.I. next week 
and attends a barbecue at MacAulay's farm in Midgell near St. Peter's 
on Wednesday evening.
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