Canada’s Liberal Party backs legalization of marijuana

[RainDog]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/15/canadas-liberal-party-backs-legalization-of-marijuana/

MONTREAL — Canada’s Liberal Party overwhelmingly passed a motion Sunday proposing the legalization of marijuana on the last day of its national convention, at which Michael Crawley was chosen as its new leader.

The motion says that, if elected, a Liberal government “will legalize marijuana and ensure the regulation and taxation of its production, distribution and use, while enacting strict penalties for illegal trafficking, illegal importation and exportation, and impaired driving.”

Under the motion, the Liberals also promised an amnesty for all Canadians previously found guilty of simple or minimal possession of marijuana and to clear the offenses from their criminal records.

The motion passed with 77 percent of the vote.

Congrats to the Liberal Party of Canada for choosing sane and progressive policy for their platform. The Liberal Party is centrist in Canada -- to the right of the social democrats of the New Democratic Party.

The New Democratic Party won enough seats in the 2011 election to be considered the opposition party to the Conservatives. I suppose the Liberals decided it was time to step up their game to address issues that matter to their citizens after the social democrats received more support.

It's good to see CENTRISTS come out in favor of rational actions to end the prohibition of cannabis. It would be nice to see more representation for a variety of political views in the U.S. at the national level as well, rather than two parties fighting to pander to a vocal minority.

[socialindependocrat]

1. Why don't we hear more about Canada in the news?

I guess this answers that question.

Our government doesn'ty want us to get any support for liberal ideas.

Secondly, they don't want us to see the pharmacutical prices up there and get pissed off.

Cudos for Canada!!

Why doesn't our government do what is popular with the people?
Oh yeh, they are bought by the wealthy!

[RainDog]

2. I wish we had proportional representation

because I think it would increase voter participation and would be more representative.

why should a liberal in Tennessee not have his or her vote count b/c he or she lives in an area with a lot of Fallwellians?

In terms of population, the U.S. is much more liberal and progressive than our elections allow.

I don't like the electoral college for that reason.

States get representation at the state level of govt.

People should get representation at the federal level, imo.

[limpyhobbler]

5. proportional representation would be good

Technically I don't think Canada has proportional representation. If they did, their results would be even better than they already are with their first-past-the-post parliamentary system.

But for the US, we could definitely use something like proportional representation to shake things up and allow some new voices and ideas to get into the elections. More variety of voices should be able to speak without fear of becoming a "spoiler" on accident. Another idea could be runoff or instant runoff elections.

[RainDog]

7. I agree we need more actual representation

but recognize that's not going to happen any time soon here, if ever - though stranger things have happened.

However, I think that no national politician is willing to acknowledge the support various issues have among the entire population here , whatever their political view, and this is one of them.

I also find it offensive that we have an Office at the federal level whose sole purpose is to create propaganda - i.e. the "Drug Czar's Palace."

I think that office should be dismantled b/c it is ineffective and a waste of tax dollars and, most of all, WRONG to have an agency whose purpose is to lie - and whose head has to lie as part of his job description.

[RainDog]

8. kicking for this big news n/t

[RainDog]

3. oh, this makes 2 out of the 3 largest political parties in Canada to support legalization

those two are also joined by the Green Party.

The ONLY party in Canada that does not support legalization is the conservative party.

So, the majority of voters across Canada are represented by political parties that support legalization.

The U.S. is, of course, more backward than our neighbors to the north - we don't like to admit we're not as innovative or have govt. that is less representative and more repressive - but that's our reality.

[DeathToTheOil]

4. The Liberals won't be back in power for a long time

[RainDog]

6. Personally, if I were Canadian I would vote New Party Democrat

but I do think it's big news to note that the majority of politicians who have a chance in hell of actually being voted into office are for legalization.

As a Canuck - what's your take on this issue there?