Canadian health minister told the United Nations that legislation will soon be introduced to touch the issue on legalizing marijuana, as a way to fix the 'failed system' and eliminate the 'criminal element' related to drugs in the country. But NDP leader believes that the proposal is just 'another broken promise' as Prime Minister failed to fulfill his promise during last year's election.
Health minister Jane Philpott said that the Liberal government will introduce legislation that seeks to decriminalize and regulate recreational marijuana in spring 2017. In a speech at a special session of the General Assembly in New York, Philpott said "We will introduce legislation in spring 2017 that ensures we keep marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned last year's election to legalize and decriminalize recreational marijuana. But the time frame for his campaign was not discussed. According to WGRZ, PM said that legalizing marijuana would fix the 'failed system' and remove the 'criminal element' linked to drug.
"We will work with law enforcement partners to encourage appropriate and proportionate criminal justice measures," she said. "We know it is impossible to arrest our way out of this problem."
However, NDP Leader Tom Muclair believes that the proposed legislation is just another broken promise by PM. He adds that the only thing that Liberals have made so far is appointing Bill Blair.
"There are thousands and thousands of mostly young people who will have criminal records for the rest of their lives because (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau did not respect his promise to legalize marijuana as soon as he took office," he said.
Muclair also said that the government should not immediately decriminalize marijuana and address complex issues like supply later. He said it is just a "massive waste of time, effort and energy of our entire criminal justice system."
In a report by CBC, Trudeau answered Muclair's question on removing criminal records of Canadians charged before a new law is established. PM said in a statement that simply decriminalizing marijuana does not help the government securing drugs out of children's hands, but would allow criminals to have a legal stream of income selling it.
"The fact of the matter is we've been clear. We believe in 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 Commons.
A legislation to legalize marijuana will be discussed in spring 2017. The proposal will not only decriminalize marijuana but will also regulate recreational cannabis, as a way to fix the failed system and eliminate 'criminal elements' linked to drugs in Canada.
