Pubdate: Tue, 29 Dec 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Peter Lipskis
Page: 20

TIME FOR OFFICIAL APOLOGY

Cannabis was criminalized in Canada as a footnote to the racist
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923.

In 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology for the
Head Tax, and last year B.C. apologized for "historical wrongs to
Chinese immigrants."

Canada's LeDain Commission concluded the harm caused by the
prohibition of cannabis exceeds the harm that it is supposed to prevent.

Rather than talking about "legalization," it's time to boldly issue a
similar apology to Canadians who have suffered the devastating effects
of a criminal record for cannabis "crimes."

Peter Lipskis, Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Matt