Pubdate: Wed, 12 Aug 2015
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2015 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Mark Kennedy
Page: A4

THE POLITICS OF POT: ARE THE TORIES OUT OF TOUCH WITH CANADIANS?

OTTAWA * For two years, Stephen Harper's Conservatives have hoped to 
boost their re-election chances in part by convincing Canadians that 
Justin Trudeau will put marijuana joints into the hands of their children.

On Tuesday, Harper made his move, with an anti-drug announcement 
partially designed to divert attention from Nigel Wright's upcoming 
testimony at the trial of suspended Sen. Mike Duffy, and with tough 
talk about the need to continue the war on pot.

"Unlike the other parties, we will not introduce misguided and 
reckless policies that would downplay, condone or normalize the use 
of illegal drugs," Harper said.

But the Conservative leader may soon find his approach runs counter 
to what Canadians appear to want.

The government's internal polling reveals more than two-thirds of the 
public favours a loosening of marijuana laws - either full 
legalization or the issuing of fines, instead of a criminal record, 
for people who possess small amounts. Just 13.7 per cent support 
Harper's apparent advocacy of the status quo.

That could put Trudeau's Liberals in the driver's seat, as they 
cautiously pitch a plan to work with the provinces to establish a 
regulated scheme in which government-run stores sell marijuana to adults.

In a recent interview, Trudeau stressed that his plan will stem from 
"best practices" learned from other jurisdictions where pot is legal. 
He envisioned a scheme in which the "equivalent of a liquor control 
board" sells marijuana and there are strict controls in place to 
ensure the drug is not sold to under-age Canadians.

The NDP favours establishing a commission to study "all aspects of 
the non-medical use of marijuana" and propose "an appropriate 
regulatory regime."

Canada is gradually becoming an international outlier - with some 
states such as Colorado legalizing pot and the Organization of 
American States urging leaders in the western hemisphere to take a 
more liberalized approach.

Harper said Tuesday however that the number of Canadians on drugs - 
especially young people - is still too high. Harper claimed "most 
Canadians" do not want the "full legalization" of marijuana.

Last year an Ipsos-Reid poll found 37.3 per cent of Canadians said 
marijuana should be legalized and 33.4 per cent said the possession 
of small amounts of marijuana should be decriminalized with a fine.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom