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Rob Ford Says Conservatives Ought To Consider Decriminalizing Pot

Ford: Tories Should Consider Decriminalizing Pot
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Rob Ford doesn't think marijuana will be legal in Canada so long as Conservatives are in power, but believes Ottawa should consider decriminalization.

The Toronto mayor — who admitted this past summer he smoked "a lot" of pot in the past — made his weekly appearance on D.C. radio show, The Sports Junkies, on Thursday.

But, unsurprisingly, the conversation shifted beyond Ford's weekly NFL picks.

According to The Toronto Sun, Ford was asked his opinion on pot legalization. The mayor told them it won't happen in Canada because of the Tory government.

"They're very strict when it comes to marijuana and any other drugs — so it is not going to happen here," he said. "Maybe down in the States but not up here."

Ford added that that while he is convinced legalization won't happen unless there is a change of government, he wonders why the Harper government doesn't at least explore decriminalization.

"The Conservative government up here is very, you know, it's job creation, it is stimulating the economy but I've questioned that too sometimes why wouldn't they at least decriminalize it and try to get revenue from it," he said.

Ford was also asked what he gave his wife, Renata, for Christmas.

"I gave her a cheque for five grand and she was really happy," he said.

Ford sparked buzz on the show back in December with his unusual gift-giving advice.

"Women love money,” he said. "Give 'em a couple thousand bucks and they're happy."

Ford's wife was by his side after he apologized months ago for crude comments he made to reporters about their sex life.

Ford has already registered to run for re-election in October and may be in a good spirits these days thanks to a new poll showing his approval rating has gone up recently.

A Forum Research poll released this week puts Ford's approval at 47 per cent — a jump of about five per cent since last month.

Forum president Lorne Bozinoff suggested to The Sun that the spike can be attributed to the mayor's ice storm response.

But there may be reason to take such numbers with a grain of salt.

After all, Forum came under intense scrutiny after it released a poll on the eve of November's four federal byelections showing Liberals leading in Tory fortress Brandon-Souris by an astounding 29 points.

Conservatives narrowly won the riding after a campaign in which they heavily criticized Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's support for pot legalization.

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