Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2013
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2013 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Gary Mason

SO TRUDEAU SMOKED POT. AT LEAST HE'S HONEST

That Justin Trudeau has dabbled with pot likely surprised few in 
Canada. However, his recent admission that he took his last puff just 
three years ago is provocative.

We're used to politicians saying they tried marijuana in their 
carefree youth. And used to them drastically playing down the amount 
they smoked - that is, if they actually inhaled at all. But these 
types of political confessions stopped being news a long time ago.

What's different about Mr. Trudeau's divulgence is his acknowledgment 
he did it just a few years ago, while an MP. And, not 
insignificantly, while the possession of marijuana was still a 
criminal offence in this country - and remains so. That is either 
politically brave or stupid. It is without question refreshingly honest.

It's doubtful Mr. Trudeau and his advisers would not have considered 
the potential fallout of his story about sharing a joint with friends 
at his Montreal home. (He also said he's only tried marijuana five or 
six times in his life, and has never done other hard drugs). They 
likely determined that those who might be offended by his revelation 
were probably disinclined to vote for him anyway.

They also likely decided that the vast majority of Canadians would 
probably shrug at the news. So he took a puff at a dinner party. It's 
a scene played out in living rooms and backyard patios among young 
professionals like Mr. Trudeau every day. Pot is the parlour drug of 
choice for many urbanites, and long has been. Many prefer its mellow 
effect to the toll of an evening of drinking.

In Vancouver, of course, you can't walk along a downtown street 
without encountering pot's pungent odour. I can assure you, Mr. 
Trudeau did not hurt himself on the West Coast with his frank 
disclosure. And certainly the young people who have been drawn to his 
political crusade aren't going to punish him. Rather, they will laud 
him for his candour.

The stigma that once existed around marijuana has mostly dissipated. 
Almost every week another group is calling for its legalization. Mr. 
Trudeau himself recently came out in support of it. Health 
professionals across the country have long pointed out it's time to 
legalize and regulate the sale of cannabis the way we do alcohol.

Even south of the border, where the war on drugs was lost a long time 
ago, some U.S. states have moved to legalize cannabis. So far, Prime 
Minister Stephen Harper has shown no interest in moving down this 
road. Even if Mr. Harper believed that heeding the many calls to 
decriminalize pot was the right thing to do, he likely couldn't do 
it. The Conservative base would never forgive him.

Consequently, this allows Mr. Trudeau to look more enlightened on the 
subject, more in tune with modern thinking. A vast majority of 
Canadians support decriminalizing marijuana because it makes sense. 
Why clog up an already overburdened court system with people nailed 
for having a bit of weed in their possession?

It will be intriguing to see what the Tories do with Mr. Trudeau's 
revelation. Will they make a big deal out of the fact that he was 
breaking the law when he lit up? This, by a man who purports to want 
to run the country! They had no qualms about making fun of Mr. 
Trudeau for being a drama teacher. Will they now propose his 
marijuana use confirms he's as big a flake as they've been suggesting?

Over the years we've learned that when it comes to trying to destroy 
political opponents, the Conservatives will do, and say, just about anything.

I would suggest, however, that going after Mr. Trudeau on this matter 
will not get the traction the Tories are seeking. If anything, it may 
just make Canada's governing party look dated, out of touch and even 
a little paranoid.
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