The Liberal Party of Canada has voted to legalize pot.
Seventy-seven per cent of delegates at the Liberals' biennial convention told their party's leadership Sunday morning that they want a future Liberal government to legalize marijuana.
Their interim leader Bob Rae acknowledged the war on drugs hasn’t worked, but told reporters the party's caucus would have to study the implications of the resolution.
"Frankly, the status quo doesn't work and that's what needs to change,” Rae said. “The Liberal party is saying that the current laws do not work and that we need a new direction.”
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“It’s now up to us to take that resolution and see exactly what it will mean in terms of policy, because there are some practical questions that we have to look at,” Rae added, noting in French that one such issue would be how to control the supply of legalized pot.
Rae insisted he was at ease defending the principles of the resolution and that he would work with the membership on the issue in the months and years ahead as the party drafts its next election platform.
“I accept that it is the will of the party that was expressed and as leader we will continue to work together,” Rae said.
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During a debate on the floor of the Ottawa convention hall, one Liberal delegate, a police officer, told the crowd Canada’s drug policy was misguided.
“This country does not need more prisons, it needs less criminals,” he said.
The resolution, which was brought forward by the party's youth wing, calls upon a Liberal federal government to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana production, distribution and use while enacting “strict penalties for illegal trafficking, illegal importation and exportation, and impaired driving.”
The resolution also calls for significant investments in prevention and education programs on the harms of marijuana and amnesty for Canadians convicted of simple possession in the past.
Samuel Lavoie, the president of the Young Liberals of Canada, said he wasn’t sure the resolution would make it into the Liberal party’s next election platform, but that he hoped it would not be ignored.
“I think everyone in the party, not only the interim leader (Rae), but everyone in the party, recognizes that there were 3,000 Liberals here this weekend and that this is a motion which, however controversial, passed with more than 75% of support, so I think it would be difficult for anyone to just ignore the result and the will of the membership,” he said.
Liberals should stop being scared of any soft on crime label the Conservative party might give them, Lavoie added.
“The Conservative staffers in the Prime Minister’s office will never vote for the Liberal party,” Lavoie said. “We are talking to Canadians, the fact is this is a sensible policy, an evidence-based policy that is very easy to defend and polls show that we have a majority of support amongst Canadians. There is a cross-partisan support amongst non-conservative voters for this. So we feel like this is something that will get us votes not lose us votes,” he said.
More than 1,400 delegates took part in the vote. If Liberal members re-affirm the motion in two years during another policy process, the Liberal leader will still have the right to veto any part of the election platform under current rules.
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Six Hot Topics At The Liberal Convention
It's was extreme makeover time for the Liberal Party of Canada at its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlthiaRaj">biennial policy convention in Ottawa</a>. Here's a half-dozen hot topics the 2,600 delegates debatedor decided.<br><br>
Photo: CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld<br><br>
<i>With files from CBC.</i>
Who's Running This Show? Part One: Bob Rae
UPDATE: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/14/liberal-convention-2012-ottawa_n_1206071.html?ref=canada&ref=canada">Leadership speculation swirled at the Liberal convention</a>. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty ruled out a run and his brother David said he was considering a campaign. Former cabinet minister Martin Cauchon also attracted attention by hosting a hospitality suite, encouraging some to argue he must be considering a bid for the party's top job. Former astronaut and MP Marc Garneau is also said to be considering a bid. Of course, current interim leader Bob Rae continued to be the primary focus of leadership rumours.<br><br>
He's the interim leader for now, but after Wednesday's barnburner of a speech to his Parliamentary caucus, those inclined to think he also wants to be the permanent leader had fresh fuel for their burning suspicions. Will more signs emerge over the convention weekend? Will other potential candidates for the permanent leadership stand up and say something about their own ambitions?<br><br>
Photo: CP
Who's Running This Show? Part Two: The Party President
UPDATE: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/15/mike-crawley-liberal-convention-2012-ottawa_n_1207459.html?1326654076&ref=canada#s612012&title=_Whos_Running">Mike Crawley was elected President of the Liberal Party of Canada</a> at the biennial convention in Ottawa.<br><br>
Will it be Mister President (Mike Crawley) or Madame President (Sheila Copps)? Or do the media pundits have it wrong and delegates are prepared to elect one of the other two contenders? Will the party elect someone with radical ideas for reform or someone more comfortable with the party's established path? The presidency vote could become a proxy for the bigger tug of war touching nearly every aspect of the convention -- how ready is the party to embrace change?<br><br>
Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn
Who's Running This Show? Part Three: The Contest For National Policy Chair
UPDATE: Maryanne Kampouris was elected National Policy Chair at the Liberal convention in Ottawa.<br><br>
Five party activists are in the running to helm the party's quest to redefine its policy platform before the next election, including one (20-year old Zach Paikin, above) who can't personally remember not just Liberal glory days in the seventies, but any of the party's history prior to Jean Chrétien's leadership. What coherent vision will emerge from the race for the chair and from policy resolutions delegates will debate on the floor.
Monarchy, Marijuana ... Oh My!
UPDATE: The Liberal party <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/15/liberal-vote-legalize-marijuana_n_1207388.html?ref=canada">voted for the resolution to legalize marijuana</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/15/liberals-stand-behind-the_n_1207370.html?ref=canada&ref=canada">against the resolution to cut ties with the monarchy.</a><br><br>
Speaking of youth and policy debates ... a range of ideas are up for discussion at this convention, including some more radical ideas originating with the youth wing of the party, such as dropping the Queen as Canada's head of state in favour of a Canadian-born figurehead and the legalization and regulation of marijuana. If the delegates go for some of the more exotic policy ideas, will that capture some excitement in the eyes of the voting public?<br><br>
Photo: PA
Quebec (isn't it always?)
Was the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/10/lise-st-denis-ndp-join-liberals_n_1196406.html">defection of Quebec MP Lise St-Denis from the NDP</a> a one-off, or the start of a trend? If Quebec is up-for-grabs as pollsters suggest, what strategy do the Liberals have to capitalize on that opportunity and try for a return to the party's glory days of dominating the province's politics? Can their brand be saved in Quebec?<br><br>
Photo: Alamy
Reform, Rebuild, Renew...
If it starts with "re-" it was probably a theme at this convention ... which might explain the giant letters displayed at the entrance to the convention centre. If the party wants a rebirth, it has to reform in order to rebuild. To do that, it may need to recycle some past hits, but the party's regeneration will require fresh ideas, too. To avoid re-igniting past tensions, Liberals will need to avoid repeating their past mistakes. Job one is restoring the party in the minds of voters as the best alternative to the governing Conservatives. And that means renewal.<br><br>
Photo: Getty
The Liberal Party of Canada has voted to legalize pot.
Seventy-seven per cent of delegates at the Liberals' biennial convention told their party's leadership Sunday morning that they want a future...
The Liberal Party of Canada has voted to legalize pot.
Seventy-seven per cent of delegates at the Liberals' biennial convention told their party's leadership Sunday morning that they want a future...
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The Liberal Party needs to brand itself unambiguously as being the only political party in Canada that is both socially progressive and fiscally responsible. Legalizing marijuana means we'll be spending time and resources chasing real criminals so we can truly ensure safe streets and communities.
After some much-needed sleep, I can now comment on the extraordinary things that happened this weekend at the Liberal Convention. One, the hugely positive buzz of a political party bent on renewal, and the buzz from the results of votes on policy and on people that contributed to that sense of renewal, were amazing.
The vote to include "supporters" and not just members in deciding the next Leader is one I'm proud to say I voted for.
This did not look like a party on the brink of extinction. Young Liberals at the convention should be proud of their role and organizing ability. Their success should bolster efforts of many to educate young Canadians on the importance of our democracy and their voice within it.
In my crazy world, it would be legalized. Taxed and distributed through something like lcbo :) I say the LCBO idea because I think it would put to rest a lot of what if kids get it argument. It would also be nice to know that there is quality control (not smoking oregano or something toxic).
and hey it would add 2-3% to our GDP which is never bad.
Vik_Dhawan: In my crazy world, it would be legalized. Taxed and
This doesn't mean anything. It's just a political party deciding platform issues. They aren't in the majority right now, so really it's just a statement at this point.
Vik_Dhawan: This doesn't mean anything. It's just a political party deciding
It seems that the cons got a huge amount of money and votes for their anti-gun registry promise prior to the last election. They have recently fulfilled that promise by destroying the registry against
public , health and police opinion.. Most of those gun toting, beer guzzling, good old boys, who supported them this time around also love their tokes. Excellent move Liberals. That leave the cons with the religious right, who are neither. Maybe there is hope.
okgranny: It seems that the cons got a huge amount of
I believe in marijuana to solve more problems than it could ever create. It should be free and legal to all who want it, I smoke regularly and I like it. It works for me. I have a medical marijuana card, it's awesome. It allows me to have a life, I have chronic pain.
racerx577: I believe in marijuana to solve more problems than it
To imply Federal politics doesn't need support at the Provincial level is to say a table doesn't need all it's legs.
The Liberals lost BC in the last Federal election. They must do everything they can do get that back. Clearly there is more to this than JUST the BC vote. This is also about the youth vote in general. I'm merely pointing out the significance in BC, where Liberal support is close to 0.
You are too obvious, btw.
chuck_nathaniel: To imply Federal politics doesn't need support at the Provincial
We have recently begun to accept new members
for 2011-2012 and walk-ins are always welcome.
We have lowered our pricing and now offer a 10% discount
for Veterans & Students
(with valid ID) and HIV & Cancer patients.
(All our TOP SHELF 1/8’s are capped at $40).
Since opening our doors in 2009 our
Denver dispensary has stood by
our product and offered a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. http://www.tgtree.com/
tgtree88: We have recently begun to accept new members for 2011-2012
absolutely great news! finally all grown-ups who want can smoke without being dumped under the same title with paedophiles, etc. - let alone prisons. all those who wish to smoke - register , get their dose and are required to inform of any below 18 yrs consumprtion. so bloody simple. registration costs a yearly fee- like a membership...or like a tv license ...........there- the cops get this way some of their previous money fix, the government still can keep tabs on us and grown- ups get to smoke with dignity and self-respect. at much more reduced prices and controlled growth procedures. SO SiMPLE. it is enough - you cant continue to lump 30 + ,with 18 - , in order to try to keep the world safe....it didnt. just pissed off a lot of 40 + year olds
Kristina_Munro: absolutely great news! finally all grown-ups who want can smoke
I'd be thinking about a job, your family, travel, criminal records and all the nasties. Do the math. Even if the Liberals use it as part of their platform and they have been in before this is one item that won't get them in power. If they do it will be four years from now. It will take them another two or three years to get the legislation presented. A minoirity government won't be lucky so at 8-10 years to your life. Where will you be? Probably telling your kids about the hassles.
piceaglauca: I'd be thinking about a job, your family, travel, criminal
It's about time that all nations go thru a bit of consciousness raising and look in the mirror and check with sources out side of the law enforcement community and church... for a refreshing new look at reality concerning drugs....for some drugs are a problem ...but now we have a system that maximizes the harm done. People who work in the health professional field and at treatment centers etc. know that alcohol is a drug way worse than the others out there. If Heroin were legal it would be fairly benign in comparison. Field sobriety tests only work accurately with alcohol ...gee i wonder why? Would i pass on pot ...of course Ha! This is a huge human rights issue that should be dealt with the same way as gay and racial issues. ...if we are not able to do the right thing at this time then at least we should make it a medical problem rather than a law enforcement one...take the profit incentive out of it...
Jay_Thomas: It's about time that all nations go thru a bit
Whty do you keep debating the alcohol and smoking issue. They were dealt with on their own. Provide merit to the marijauana issue and let it stand on its own.
piceaglauca: Whty do you keep debating the alcohol and smoking issue.
Pot should be legalized, and regulated like alcohol/tobacco, period.Release tens of thousand of pot prisoners, and parden everyone of any pot conviction. This alone would balance our deficit.
Wally_Parnel: Pot should be legalized, and regulated like alcohol/tobacco, period.Release tens
Who goes to jail for possession? Where do you live? If it's in the US then I get it. As for the law as long as the US doesn't like it , it won't change here.
piceaglauca: Who goes to jail for possession? Where do you live?
And where do you live? Thousands of people are arrested every year, often for relatively minor possession offenses. Even the ones that never see the inside of a jail cell (which would be the people with enough money to post bond and remain free before trial) still end up spending time and money in the process, which is a ridiculous waste.
JustMyWords: And where do you live? Thousands of people are arrested
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First Posted: 01/15/2012 9:23 am Updated: 03/16/2012 5:12 am