TOEWS QUESTIONS MARIJUANA REPORT

Provencher MP Vic Toews questions the results of the recent Senate report
recommending the legalization of marijuana in Canada.

The report, released last week, called for the government-licensed
production and sale of marijuana to any Canadian citizen over the age of 16.

"While I support a full and open public debate about marijuana use in
Canada, the drastic step of full legalization is not viable, and it is not
in line with the views of the majority of Canadians," Toews said in a
statement on Tuesday.

"Legalizing marijuana and other drugs sends the wrong message to young
peopleit sends the message that drugs are not harmful, and that they are
sanctioned by society."

Toews said legalization would have an enormous impact on trade relationships
with the United States as well as on foreign relations across the globe.

He noted one of the most significant flaws in the report was the
recommendation that 16-year-olds should have full legal access to marijuana.

At a time when access to cigarettes and alcohol is extended only to those at
least 18 years of age in Canada, "allowing people as young as 16 to have
legal access to marijuana is not only logically inconsistent with our
current laws, it is dangerous as well."

Toews said another serious error in the report is the recommendation to wipe
clean the records of anyone ever convicted of marijuana possession. "I
believe that this would set a dangerous precedent and certainly it
undermines the rule of law. Individuals must take responsibility for their
past illegal actions. Criminal records should only be expunged in accordance
with the established pardon system."

He said overall, the Senate report was too narrowly focused and did not
consider marijuana use in the context of the broader issues of drug abuse
and law enforcement in general.

"This isn't surprising when you consider that, as un-elected appointees, the
senators' recommendation to legalize marijuana comes without the prospect of
having to answer for it to Canadian voters."

The Provencher MP said that before any legislation is proposed, the
government must wait for the report of the Special House Committee on the
Non-Medicinal Use of Drugs, which has been examining marijuana and other
drug use in Canada for over a year.