Pubdate: Sat, 28 May 2016
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Antonella Artuso
Page: 5

TORY WAS ONCE A TOKER

Former pot smokers have gone on to great things - like Mayor of
Toronto.

A very youthful John Tory acknowledged in his school newspaper in 1976
that he "used the stuff to some extent" in high school and first year
of university.

As first reported by the Toronto Sun, Tory wrote that it would be more
unusual if someone had never tried it.

"At the time, I really saw nothing wrong with it, although on certain
occasions in certain circumstances I was somewhat paranoid of the
badge swooping down and carting me away," he wrote.

Tory described a time when he and a friend were entering a Lake Simcoe
marina at 3 a.m. with "a half pound on board" only to notice another
boat with a powerful search light following them.

"I managed to persuade my accomplice not to ditch the stuff so he
stuffed it down his pants and we made it to the dock without
incident," he said.

Tory went on to advise his readers that people should be educated
about the impact of drugs and "to use dope in moderation ... So those
are my thoughts. Put them in your pipe and smoke them. In moderation,
of course."

The mayor was criticized by some pro-pot users after police swooped
down on marijuana dispensaries this week.

Keerthana Kamalavasan, a spokesperson for Tory, said there is no
conflict between the Mayor's more recent actions and his 1976 column.
"The Mayor has long been in favour of legalization, and said so even
as a broadcaster," Kamalavasan said Friday. "He does have concerns
around health and safety for our neighbourhoods. That is why he sent a
letter to City staff to look into a regulatory framework so the
industry can operate responsibly."
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MAP posted-by: Matt