Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Source: Alberni Valley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Glacier Community Media
Contact:  http://www.avtimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4043
Author: Auren Ruvinsky
Page: 5

ALBERNI AREA CANDIDATES WEIGH IN WITH A LIGHT TOUCH ON SUBJECT OF 
MARIJUANA MARIJUANA

Those vying for the new Courtenay-Alberni riding lean to
decriminalization, or even legalization, of pot use. Candidates in the
new Courtenay-Alberni riding lean to decriminalizing or even
legalizing marijuana.

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

"The fact is for users, marijuana has largely been decriminalized.
(The) 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 characterize 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-turvy by the Supreme Court,"
said Duncan.
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MAP posted-by: Matt