GRIT DELEGATES BACK HOOKERS NOT HOOKAHS

OTTAWA -- Liberals side-stepped a convention showdown on legalizing
marijuana, opting instead to push towards the legalization of prostitution
and endorsed gay marriage. Grits, gathered to debate policy meant to set
the tone for the next federal election, kept their debate over stiffer
sentences for marijuana grow operators and legalizing pot to a workshop.

About 600 Liberals supported both marijuana resolutions, but when forced to
pick a favourite they opted to push the federal government to review the
criminal-code section which makes prostitution illegal, a choice
overwhelmingly backed by delegates.

"It is the responsibility of the state and the Liberal government to
protect their citizens," said Kristopher Ade, the Manitoba Liberal who
spearheaded the move to legalize prostitution.

"We have ignored (sex workers') plight far too long."

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler applauded the move to shift the focus to the
plight of prostitutes and away from pot.

Cotler said he supports doing more to help improve the quality of life for
prostitutes, and has tasked a Commons committee to review legislation that
makes prostitution illegal.

"The sex trade workers will tell you that the nature of the present legal
framework renders them more vulnerable," Cotler said.

"And one of the objectives that I have as a minister of justice is to
protect the most vulnerable among us, and that includes sex trade workers."

But Cotler fell short of backing red-light districts, which critics say
will be the natural result of legalizing the oldest trade in the world.