Canada's Liberal Party to vote on cannabis legalization resolution at convention

[RainDog]

Here's the resolution: http://convention.liberal.ca/justice/117-legalize-and-regulate-marijuana/

The proposition was one of the "Leading resolutions" among Liberal party members on the party's official website, ranking fourth behind "Democratic Renewal", "Preferential Balloting System," and "Accelerated Development of Clean, Renewable, and of conservation and energy efficiency in Canada."

"What's interesting in this case," long-time marijuana activist and current Liberal Party delegate Marc-Boris St-Maurice told Cannabis Culture, "is there have been similar resolutions in the past but the difference this time is the level of support from leadership of the party, who have been pretty vocal about their support for getting this on the convention floor. That's a first. After doing this for 20 years, to see the leadership of the Liberal party finally developing an appetite for this kind of policy is a big deal and a new development."

(Bob) Rae (current leader of the Liberal Party in Canada) was a vocal opponent of Conservative crime bill C-10, which was passed by the House of Commons in December of 2011 and now heads to the Senate for approval before it can become Canadian law.

"This bill will impose mandatory minimums that will turn young offenders into hardened criminals," Rae said. "It fails the mentally ill, aboriginal people, visible minorities and the poor. It repeats the mistakes of failed, expensive and discredited American crime policy. ... At the end of the day we will have more crime, less justice, skyrocketing costs, prison overcrowding, less rehabilitation for the offenders, less protection for victims and less protection for the public. Liberals are committed to pursuing a crime and justice approach that is evidence-based, cost effective and focused on preventing crime and victimization.”

http://cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2012/01/11/Proposed-Liberal-Party-Resolution-Calls-Marijuana-Legalization

[T S Justly]

1. Imagine that. Liberals who are liberal. Oh, Canada! K&R (nt)

[RainDog]

2. interesting view

[T S Justly]

3. Indeed, if it means support for legalization is coming from everywhere except U.S. leadership.

Which some are calling liberal.

[RainDog]

4. The conservative party in Canada is certainly not for legalization

I hope Canada kicks all of their butts to the curb this year.

[T S Justly]

5. I read it as seeing the Liberal Party as conservative, but hell yeah, Canada can do it.