Pubdate: Thu, 22 Oct 2015
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Jocelyne Richer
Page: 18

LEGALIZED POT PLANS UPSET QUEBEC POLITICIANS

QUEBEC - The new federal government's promise to legalize marijuana 
is raising concerns among Quebec's political class.

Some cabinet ministers didn't hide their discomfort when asked 
Wednesday about the prospect of legalized pot in the near future 
after the Liberal victory in this week's federal election.

Public Security Minister Lise Theriault says questions of public 
safety are paramount and must prevail, adding that many people share 
that concern.

"We should be worried, definitely, it's something that can really 
upset a lot of people, including me," Theriault said.

While it hasn't rejected the idea outright, the Couillard government 
wants to see detailed plans from the new Liberal government in Ottawa.

Justin Trudeau, the prime minister-designate, has promised to 
legalize cannabis by selling and taxing it much like alcohol, but 
hasn't said how quickly that might happen.

The federal Liberals argue legalization means the drug will be less 
accessible to minors and will snuff out the ability of criminal 
groups to profit from the pot trade.

Theriault said she's never used marijuana, preferring "dinners with 
friends with a nice bottle of wine" and travelling south to escape 
the daily grind.

Asked if he'd consumed marijuana, Finance Minister Carlos Leitao let on he had.

"We were all 18 once," Leitao said. "It brings back memories."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom