TIME: Justin Trudeau Makes a Surprising Case for Legalizing Marijuana

[mentalfloss]

Justin Trudeau Makes a Surprising Case for Legalizing Marijuana

He wants to reduce harm

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprisingly pragmatic case for legalizing marijuana during the Economist magazine’s Canada Summit in Toronto on Wednesday.

When a conference participant said that “Canada could be to cannabis as France is to wine,” noting the possible economic and revenue boosts and job potential from pot legalization, Trudeau offered a different rationale for legalization — a focus on regulation.

The Canadian leader noted that he had two guiding principles in his push for legalizing pot that focused on reducing harm as opposed to maximizing benefits: to minimize underage access to marijuana and to reduce criminal activity surrounding illegal marijuana trade.

“I have no doubt that Canadians and entrepreneurs will be tremendously innovative in finding ways to create positive economic benefits from the legalization and control of marijuana, but our focus is on protecting kids and protecting our streets,” Trudeau said.

In January, Trudeau took first steps towards legalizing marijuana in Canada with a mandate letter to create a legal framework for it.

Justin Trudeau Makes a Surprising Case For Legal Pot

 

[taxslave]

trudOWE could have made pot legal by now if he really wanted to. But that was just a vote getter from the gullible.He has no intention of legalization any time soon. Hes backers have a financial interest in keeping things the way they are.

 

[lone wolf]

It's as easy to keep weed away from kids as it is to keep booze and sex away from them

 

[Curious Cdn]

It's as easy to keep weed away from kids as it is to keep booze and sex away from them

I've noticed that, as well.

 

[JamesBondo]

They intend to delay the legalization of pot long enough to get legislation in that protects big pharma and muscles out the small entrepreneur.

 

[lone wolf]

It would have been legal long ago if Big Pharma could have found a way to secure a patent

 

[tay]

NDP motion calls on feds to decriminalize marijuana before legalizing it


The New Democrats are urging the Liberal government to decriminalize pot before they legalize it.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana, and his government plans to get started next spring.

Meanwhile, the existing criminal law remains on the books and police are expected to enforce it.

The NDP is introducing an opposition day motion on Monday calling on the House of Commons to recognize there is a contradiction in giving people criminal records for something the government has said should not be a crime.

The motion also calls on the government to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana for personal use immediately.

"Arresting people and giving them criminal records for possession of small quantities just doesn't seem fair, in light of their commitment, apparently, to legalize marijuana," New Democrat MP Murray Rankin said Sunday.

Rankin also said the law is being applied inconsistently across the country, which adds to the unfairness.

Rankin said one way to decriminalize it without having to wait for legislation to make its way through Parliament would be to have Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould issue a directive under the Public Prosecutions Act ordering Crown counsel to avoid proceeding with prosecution for simple possession offences.

"I just think the sensible thing to do would be to no longer charge people until we can get the reformed regime in place," said Rankin.

Health Minister Jane Philpott formally announced in April the federal government's plan to legalize and regulate marijuana when she spoke to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"We know it is impossible to arrest our way out of this problem," Philpott told a special session on global drug policy as she revealed the promised legislation could come in spring 2017.

That same day, Trudeau argued it would be irresponsible to decriminalize marijuana in the meantime.

"We believe in the legalization and regulation of marijuana because it protects our kids and keeps money out of the pockets of criminal organizations and street gangs," Trudeau told the House of Commons.

"The fact of the matter is that decriminalization, as the member proposes, actually gives a legal stream of income to criminal organizations. That is not what anyone wants in this country," Trudeau said.

Trudeau acknowledged in a 2013 interview with the Huffington Post that he had smoked pot occasionally, including once after being elected as an MP.

Trudeau also revealed in that interview that his youngest brother, Michel, had been charged with marijuana possession not long before he died in a 1998 avalanche.

That influenced his choice to first support the decriminalization of marijuana, Trudeau said, which later changed to legalization after he was convinced it was the best way to keep it away from children.

Liberal MP Bill Blair, a former Toronto police chief and parliamentary secretary to the justice minister, confirmed in February that police should continue enforcing Criminal Code provisions on marijuana.

“Quite frankly, until those laws are repealed by Parliament through the appropriate processes, they should be upheld, they should be obeyed," said Blair.

NDP motion calls on feds to decriminalize marijuana before legalizing it - Winnipeg Free Press

 

[mentalfloss]

NDP has always had this position.

They're just going through the motions until the bill is passed.

 

[DaSleeper]

https://imgflip.com/memegenerator

https://imgflip.com/memegenerator

 

[tay]

They intend to delay the legalization of pot long enough to get legislation in that protects big pharma and muscles out the small entrepreneur.

Teresa Taylor, a founding director of the Craft Cannabis Association of B.C., warned that if an "elitist" legal system is created, the black market will flourish. She said craft cannabis growers are "ma and pa" farmers who care about producing a high-quality product.

"In order for us to continue to have strong local economies, the legislative model needs to include that level of production. I think it would be akin to losing something like the forestry industry or mining or fisheries," she said.

"We depend on this. We need it to stay in place, and not only that, but we need it to be recognized as a valuable and noble agricultural profession."

Vancouver lawyer John Conroy said he believes the Liberals are open to allowing craft growers.

He said Canadians have already proven they dislike a system that limits marijuana sales to big companies. In February, Conroy won a constitutional challenge of 2013 legislation that required medical cannabis patients to buy from large licensed producers.

Before the 2013 law, patients could obtain Health Canada licences to grow their own marijuana. A court injunction has kept the old program alive for about 28,000 people, including Lane.

The Liberals are expected to amend the law to allow for both systems to co-exist by late August.

"People have already shown that the licensed-producer process is not working, and voted with their feet, creating the demand for the dispensaries," said Conroy. "That'll happen again, if the government doesn't provide reasonable access."

'Craft cannabis' growers fight for legal role, say B.C. jobs, tourism at stake - Winnipeg Free Press

 

[taxslave]

The government is not in favor of mom&pop farms because they are too hard to control and tax. It is not about making a plant legal, rather it is all about who gets the loot. The government does not care about quality.

 

[Walter]

Justine is just so dreamy.

 

[JLM]

Justine is just so dreamy.

You got that right............................he dreams a lot!