Pubdate: Thu, 20 Aug 2015
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.pqbnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361
Author: Auren Ruvinsky

Federal Election

CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTION WEEDS

Perspectives on Marijuana Legalization in This New Courtenay-Alberni Riding

With a recent Supreme Court decision and a dispensary that came and 
went from downtown Parksville, marijuana is a hot local topic in this 
federal election.

Candidates in the new Courtenay-Alberni riding that includes 
Parksville Qualicum Beach, lean to the decriminalize or even legalize 
side of the spectrum.

"I don't think you want to stigmatize or criminalize people for 
youthful indiscretions," said current Conservative MP and Government 
Whip John Duncan.

He said he hasn't given the topic a lot of thought, but "The fact is 
for users, marijuana has largely been decriminalized," and that his 
"government's position on marijuana is actually striking a very good balance."

"I think it's a recognition of societal acceptance of the status quo."

Others charactarize the government's position differently.

"(Prime Minister Stephen) Harper's pot policy is reckless and it's 
driven by ideology," said NDP candidate Gord Johns.

"We will restore an evidence-based policy to government," he said, 
touting his party's 40-year stand in favour of at least decriminalizing.

"It's been decades since we had a pragmatic discussion about this in 
Canada. It's time for an adult conversation," he said.

He said the NDP's approach would include aggressive public health and 
education, harm reduction, funding research and establishing an 
independent commission on non-medical use of marijuana to help guide 
Parliament.

"The war on drugs has been a right wing tactic for years," said Dan 
Olson, campaign manager for Liberal candidate Carrie Powell-Davidson.

"The issue on everyone's minds is, how to keep it out of the hands of 
children," he said, explaining the Liberals would "turn it from a tax 
liability to a tax asset."

Speaking on behalf of the candidate, Olson said legalizing it would 
allow the government to control it like the government does with 
alcohol, making it easier to keep away from kids and "freeing up the 
police to address crime."

"We're fully in support of legalization, beyond just 
decriminalization," said Green Party Candidate Glenn Sollitt.

He said the negatives people talk about from legalization initiatives 
in various U.S. states are proving untrue.

He said the Green Party position, like all but the Conservatives, is 
to legalize and tax heavily like alcohol. They would then use some of 
the money for education and to help prevent youth from getting a hold of it.

Sollitt said evidence only points to negative effects before the age 
of 25, but added that, while they would legalize it for recreational 
use, "the real benefit will be making sure it's accessible for 
medical purposes and unleashing our scientists on it," to explore medical uses.

"That's where the big payoff is."

He called the current government's approach "ridiculous, antiquated, 
not working and very expensive."

And the current situation was greatly complicated by a June 11 
Supreme Court decision allowing medical marijuana patients to use 
cannabis in edible forms.

"The current laws have been turned topsy-turvey by the Supreme 
Court," said Duncan, adding he found the decision "bizarre and 
contrary to public health and safety and doing what's right for kids."

"I'm opposed to what that signals. I don't know where we're going to 
end up, because we have to respond to the Supreme Court."

Johns said "the Harper government's confusing and contradictory 
message around marijuana complicates things. The federal government 
refuses to set fair rules and we're going to help clean that up."

Duncan said in the meantime he's happy with the RCMP cracking down on 
medical dispensaries, as they did with the Phoenix Pain Management 
Society in Parksville in April.

"In my opinion they're illegal and I'm happy with the RCMP keeping 
them out of our communities and I'm hopeful our municipal councils 
hold the line on that."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom