Pubdate: Fri, 12 Sep 2014
Source: Toronto 24hours (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Inc.
Contact:  http://24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4068
Author: Jessica Hume
Page: 6

'PROHIBITION ISN'T HELPING KIDS'

Trudeau defends pot legalization policy

Justin Trudeau on Thursday accused the government of fear-mongering
with its attacks on his pot legalization policy.

"A UN study says out of 29 developed countries, Canada is No. 1 in
teen marijuana use," Trudeau told reporters. "The approach (Justice
Minister Peter) MacKay and (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper are using
of prohibition isn't helping kids and millions of dollars are
funnelling to gangs."

The Liberal leader said evidence supports his policy to legalize,
regulate and tax marijuana sales like alcohol, a policy he insists
will make it more difficult for kids to access weed.

"Canadian families deserve better with a policy based on evidence,"
Trudeau said. "That's what we're proposing."

Trudeau said he won't unveil his platform prior to an election
campaign, but he's been clear he wants to legalize marijuana.

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney tweeted Trudeau's "support for
unregulated, unlicensed marijuana grow-ops in neighbourhoods will make
drugs more accessible and put kids at risk."

Officials at Public Safety Canada told QMI Agency: "Legalization is an 
irresponsible policy that only puts dangerous drugs on our streets and 
in our communities and sends the wrong message to children that 
recreational drug use is OK."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has said he believes smoking marijuana is a
personal issue and last month reaffirmed his party's view that
decriminalization is the best policy.
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