WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S POT

Liberal Convention Debates Marijuana

Buried amidst the hype and hoopla of their leadership race, but not
entirely unnoticed in certain smoke-filled quarters, federal Liberals
seem to have finally grasped that marijuana is a growth industry in Canada.

A contentious "pie-in-the-sky" resolution was presented to the
convention's social and justice workshop calling for legalizing
marijuana under eventual provincial administration. The resolution
also suggested that existing "compassion centres" could be
incorporated into Health Canada and there be a general amnesty and
destruction of criminal records for the 1.5 million Canadians
convicted of simple marijuana possession since 1923.

The controversial proposals were presented on behalf of the Young
Liberals of Canada by Marc-Boris St- Maurice, founder of the Bloc Pot
and federal Marijuana Party, who joined the federal Liberals two years ago.

One elderly Ontario delegate expressed contempt, not just for the
resolution, but for St-Maurice's very presence in the party. "This
workshop's been duped by the Marijuana Party," he told astonished delegates.

In reply, St-Maurice calmly produced his Liberal credentials, holding
them aloft for all to see.

In yet another fit of pot-policy-induced pique, one overstimulated
delegate warned of a global pandemic of "fetal cannabis syndrome" if
the resolution were passed.

B.C. youth delegate Adam Tremblay rejected concerns that legalization
would increase crime.

"Remove marijuana from the hands of criminals and we can much more
effectively deal with the issues that surround it."

While the resolution went no further than the policy workshop, it is
now part of the official Liberal record and St-Maurice is undeterred.
Liberals, he says, are "incredibly tolerant" when it comes to marijuana.

"Without naming names," he adds, "I'm in a good position to confirm
that many members of the Liberal Party freely indulge, but it's
neither my place nor my intent to ever say who."