Michael McLeod, Liberal Member of Parliament for 61001 Northwest Territories (NWT)

Michael McLeod, Liberal Member of Parliament for 61001 Northwest Territories (NWT)

***
An April 2013 UNICEF study found that 28 per cent of Canadian teenagers use cannabis, the highest in the world. This shocking statistic belies the Conservatives' claim that prohibition can keep pot out of the hands of Canadian youth.

A Liberal government will pass smart laws that tax and strictly regulate marijuana, to protect our kids while preventing millions of dollars from going into the pockets of criminal organizations and street gangs.

This isn't wild theory but precisely what happened after Colorado regulated and taxed marijuana: cannabis prosecutions dropped 77 per cent, burglaries and robberies declined and the state has collected an additional $23.6 million in revenue.
Michael McLeod Liberal Party
2015 election
http://www.nnslnewsroom.com/nwtfederalelection/node/132

Larry Bagnell, Liberal Member of Parliament for 60001 Yukon (Yukon)

Larry Bagnell, Liberal Member of Parliament for 60001 Yukon (Yukon)

"
Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell appeared to welcome the question about marijuana, saying his party is the only one willing to go a step further and legalize marijuana sales and use. He flashed the audience a double thumbs-up.

"Eventually the proceeds from crime will no longer go to the Mafia, but they'll go to the government to provide services for youth," Bagnell said.
"
Yukon candidates favour lenience for marijuana offenders
Conservative candidate appears to break with party's position
CBC News Posted: Sep 30, 2015 6:01 PM CT Last Updated: Oct 01, 2015 11:12 AM CT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-candidates-favour-lenience-for-marijuana-offenders-1.3251344

Pam Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Liberal Member of Parliament for 59042 West Vancouver-Sunshine-Sea to Sky Country (BC)

Pam Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Liberal Member of Parliament for 59042 West Vancouver-Sunshine-Sea to Sky Country (BC)

***
Hi. It is part of the Liberal party platform as you know. A key aspect of public health and public safety.
Thank you for touching base.

2015 election
http://norml.ca/election/

Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59033 Surrey-Newton (BC)

Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59033 Surrey-Newton (BC)

"
When I talk to parents and to the businesses, marijuana grow-ops are a problem that is affecting people across society.
"
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Government Orders

April 15th, 2008 / 11:35 a.m.

Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Newton—North Delta, BC
https://openparliament.ca/debates/2008/4/15/sukh-dhaliwal-1/

Joe Peschisolido, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59031 Steveston-Richmond East (BC)

Joe Peschisolido, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59031 Steveston-Richmond East (BC)

"
When asked for his thoughts on Conservative candidate Kenny Chiu’s choice to raise the issue of marijuana law reforms (Chiu being against any) at the opening of his campaign office, Peschisolido responded that he was “surprised that the most important issue for Stephen Harper’s representative here in Steveston-Richmond East is marijuana.”

The Liberals want to decriminalize and regulate the drug “and ensure it doesn’t get into the hands of children,” said Peschisolido.
"
Peschisolido not afraid to use "R" word

Local lawyer and former MP now challenging his former conservative political ally

Graeme Wood / Richmond News
September 14, 2015 05:39 PM

- See more at: http://www.richmond-news.com/news/peschisolido-not-afraid-to-use-r-word-1.2058528#sthash.NwbD1cNj.dpuf

Stephen Fuhr, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59012 Fleetwood-Port Kells (BC)

Stephen Fuhr, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59012 Fleetwood-Port Kells (BC)

***
Yes, I will support the Liberal Party’s position on this issue.
Stephen Fuhr

2015 election
http://norml.ca/election/

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Election_2015/15/09/02/Kelowna_Lake_Country_Questionnaire_Stephen_Fuhr_Liberal_Candidate/

Ken Hardie, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59012 Fleetwood-Port Kells (BC)

Ken Hardie, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59012 Fleetwood-Port Kells (BC)

"
Ken Hardie KenHardie @
Harper & Mulcair would leave marijuana production & profits in the hands of organized crime. That's not RealChange on.fb.me/1QLkyET
"
11:43am - 30 Sep 15
https://www.twitter.com/kenhardie/status/649293584622067712

John Aldag, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59007 Cloverdale-Langley City (BC)

John Aldag, Liberal Member of Parliament for 59007 Cloverdale-Langley City (BC)

"
Q: Position on marijuana? A: Today, marijuana trade in BC = $6B, proceeds to org crime. Remove from crime, control access -> safer streets.
"
7:51pm - 7 Oct 15 from Langley, British Columbia

https://www.twitter.com/jwaldag/status/651953059224944640

February 2nd, 2016 / 8:10 p.m.

Liberal

John Aldag Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Thank you.

I'd like to continue along with what we were just talking about a bit in regard to the idea of blockages as well as access. It's about looking at the power of the colleges across the country to influence where things go.

I'll go back a step. I've had a number of doctors speak to me about the use of medicinal marijuana as an example of where we have something that's legal, but it's only somewhat clear in the profession about what's allowed or what's not allowed. I've had some physicians say that they won't prescribe because it's unclear with the CMPA what the liabilities are. Some feel that the colleges of various jurisdictions will single them out if they're participating too much in prescribing.

I'm hoping you can put my mind at ease and say that the colleges will be enablers as opposed to setting up barriers to access. We've heard a lot about conscientious objection. There will be a body of physicians who simply don't want to participate and I'm hoping that won't influence the professional bodies that oversee this to create disincentives for participation. That could come through any number of ways. It can be sanctions. It can be the threat of sanctions. It can be threatening, or reducing the scope of licences because of over-prescribing whatever, or over-participation, or not doing a full range of things. We've had some discussions about whether people specialize in this. Does it limit their ability to practice the full range of medicine?

I would like to hear from your perspective, from the colleges' perspectives, about how we ensure that we don't end up with arbitrary restrictions or limitations to access and actually are able to enable those physicians. We've heard that upwards of 30% are showing support for participating. How do we ensure they are able to participate in physician-assisted dying initiatives and not have the colleges hanging over them?

https://openparliament.ca/committees/physician-assisted-dying/42-1/10/john-aldag-5/

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi PC, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities & Liberal Member of Parliament for / Député Libéral Pour 48017 Edmonton Mill Woods (Alberta)

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi PC, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities & Liberal Member of Parliament for / Député Libéral Pour 48017 Edmonton Mill Woods (Alberta)

****
“I, like the Liberal Party, believe that legalization of marijuana is is the best way to keep marijuana out of the hands of children, prevent the proceeds from funding criminal activities, and reduce the negative health impacts.
Sorry for the delay in my response.

Mike “
2015 election
http://norml.ca/election/

Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage & Liberal Member of Parliament for 48014 Edmonton Centre (Alberta)

Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage & Liberal Member of Parliament for 48014 Edmonton Centre (Alberta)

"Help us fight Stephen Harper’s failed plan on marijuana. Sign the petition to support the Liberal plan to legalize & regulate it."
August 11, 2015 at 2:12pm ·
https://www.facebook.com/R.Boissonnault/posts/849172718500334

Darshan Singh Kang, Liberal Member of Parliament for 48013 Calgary Skyview (Alberta)

Darshan Singh Kang, Liberal Member of Parliament for 48013 Calgary Skyview (Alberta)

"
Well, I think that when you say “forward-looking”, marijuana is marijuana, and that report would be as good as we would get, probably, unless there are new issues that have arisen out of marijuana, such as genetically modified marijuana and the effects of that or something. I think that marijuana is marijuana.
"
February 17th, 2016 / 4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Darshan Singh Kang Calgary Skyview, AB
https://openparliament.ca/committees/health/42-1/2/darshan-singh-kang-8/

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources & Liberal Member of Parliament for 46014 Winnipeg South Centre (Manitoba)

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources & Liberal Member of Parliament for 46014 Winnipeg South Centre (Manitoba)

“I am supportive.”
2015 election
http://norml.ca/election/

"
14. Would you support legalizing a small amount of marijuana? And have you ever used it?

Yes, I do support the legalization of a small amount, and yes, I have tried it but not for a long time.
"
Jim Carr, Liberal — Winnipeg South Centre
'I want to be a strong voice for the people of Winnipeg South Centre in Parliament'
By Brittany Hobson, for CBC News Posted: Oct 06, 2015 9:58 AM CT Last Updated: Oct 06, 2015 9:58 AM CT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/election-manitoba-winnipeg-south-centre-jim-carr-1.3256750

Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development & Liberal Member of Parliament for 46013 Winnipeg South (Manitoba)

Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development & Liberal Member of Parliament for 46013 Winnipeg South (Manitoba)

***
"
Would you support legalizing a small amount of marijuana? Have you ever tried it?

I did a few puffs in my teens, but I was never a user.

I mostly hung out at curling clubs and drank beer when I was of age. But our party has been very clear: We want to take it out of the hands of young people and gangs and our approach will be to legalize, regulate, tax and to ensure marijuana is kept out of the hands of our young people.

We have among the highest rates of young people using marijuana in the world, and the present system is just not working.
"
Terry Duguid, Liberal — Winnipeg South
'Winnipeg South needs a strong voice in Ottawa and not Ottawa's voice in Winnipeg South'
By Scott Billeck, for CBC News Posted: Oct 06, 2015 9:18 AM CT Last Updated: Oct 06, 2015 9:18 AM CT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/election-manitoba-winnipeg-south-terry-duguid-1.3251772

"
Duguid maintains the Liberal party’s stance on marijuana legalization, Bill C-51, and women’s right to choose abortion, but adds that his collaborative approach to leadership in the public and private sector will mean better representation for Winnipeg South.
"
Winnipeg South
Liberal Terry Duguid running in Winnipeg South
Whyte Ridge resident banking on experience to capture riding
By: Danielle Da Silva
Posted: 08/18/2015 3:40 PM
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/federal-election/wpgsouth/Liberal-Terry-Duguid-running-in-Winnipeg-South-322205921.html

Doug Eyolfson, Liberal Member of Parliament for 46002 Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley (Manitoba)

Doug Eyolfson, Liberal Member of Parliament for 46002 Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley (Manitoba)

"
Would you support legalizing a small amount of marijuana? Have you ever tried it?

Whether or not I've tried it is a personal matter I would put under things like my medical history, so it's not something I would talk about.

I certainly support legalizing the possession and purchase of it. I think that the current system of laws do not do anything to make the community safer. I think prohibition is a failure. It's widespread in the community and the fact that it's illegal is a large criminal enterprise, which is actually making the community quite unsafe.

I've seen this from my own personal experience at work. I look after a lot of victims of violence, and much of that is violence of gang members involved in the drug trade. We need to get this out of the hands of criminals and into the hands of responsible licensed vendors.

This will also get it out of the hands of kids. We have the highest rate of marijuana usage among youth in the entire industrialized world because they have absolutely unrestricted access to it. They actually use it much more than alcohol because it's easier to get.

What we need to do is regulate it the way we do alcohol. You have to go to a licensed vendor and you have to produce ID to prove you're an adult. And when you regulate it like that, you can also tax it. That can create a revenue stream that's going into our general revenue, including things like infrastructure, as opposed to profits for criminal gangs.
"
Doug Eyolfson, Liberal — Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley
'When people are economically disadvantaged, that goes hand-in-hand with poor health'
CBC News Posted: Oct 06, 2015 7:17 AM CT Last Updated: Oct 06, 2015 7:23 AM CT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/election-manitoba-charleswood-stjames-assiniboia-headingley-doug-eyolfson-1.3252428

Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister & Liberal Member of Parliament for 35114 Whitby (Ontario)

Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister & Liberal Member of Parliament for 35114 Whitby (Ontario)

***

Hello NORML Canada Team,

I apologize for delay in responding. This email must have been missed.

Three or four years ago, this issue would not have been as pressing to me as it is now. I have a 16 year old daughter who is very active politically in her school and reminds me of the ease at which she can get marijuana (and many other drugs) at her high school. While we try to protect our children, it is impossible to do so without help from our social/justice system.

I am in favour of the legalization of marijuana. This legislation has worked in other districts, and is a better way of keeping the drug out of the hands of children and profit away from criminals.

Regards,

Celina

http://norml.ca/election/

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould PC, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada & Liberal Member of Parliament for 59036 Vancouver Granville (BC)

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould PC, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada & Liberal Member of Parliament for 59036 Vancouver Granville (BC)



2016-06-07 11:43 GMT-07:00 Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Mailout <Ministerial.CorrespondenceUnit-Mailout@justice.gc.ca>:

Dear Mr. Vekemans:

Thank you for your correspondence concerning marijuana. The Office of the Prime Minister and the offices of several of my colleagues have also forwarded to me a copy of your correspondence on this issue. I regret the lengthy delay in responding.

It may interest you to know that our government will introduce legislation in the spring of 2017 in support of our commitment to legalize marijuana.

It is important to note that, currently, the existing laws concerning marijuana remain in force. The possession, production, and trafficking of marijuana are some of the activities that are prohibited under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and are subject to law enforcement intervention, except where authorized by exemptions or regulations, such as the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations.

I am working with my colleagues the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, and my parliamentary secretary, Mr. Bill Blair, on the launch of a task force that will provide expert advice on how the legalization process should take place, including the strict regulation of and restriction of access to marijuana. The task force will include perspectives from many different sectors, including health, justice, law enforcement, and public safety.

Our objective is to ensure that marijuana is kept out of the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals. Please be assured that the protection of Canadians is a priority for us as we work on this issue.

Thank you again for writing.

Respectfully,

The Honourable Jody Wilson‑Raybould, P.C., Q.C., M.P.

Monsieur,

Je vous remercie de votre correspondance concernant la marijuana. Le Cabinet du Premier ministre et les bureaux de plusieurs de mes collègues m’ont également fait parvenir une copie de votre correspondance sur cette question. Je regrette le délai de cette réponse.

Vous serez peut‑être intéressé d'apprendre que notre gouvernement déposera un projet de loi au printemps 2017 pour honorer notre engagement à légaliser la marijuana.

Il importe de noter qu'actuellement, les dispositions existantes relatives à la marijuana demeurent en vigueur. Ainsi, la possession, la production et le trafic de la marijuana figurent parmi les activités qui sont interdites par la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances et qui sont susceptibles de faire l'objet d'interventions policières, sauf lorsqu'elles sont autorisées par des exceptions ou par les règlements applicables, tels que le Règlement sur l'accès à la marihuana à des fins médicales.

Je travaille en collaboration avec mes collègues, l'honorable Ralph Goodale, ministre de la Sécurité publique et de la Protection civile, l'honorable Jane Philpott, ministre de la Santé, et mon secrétaire parlementaire, M. Bill Blair, à la mise sur pied d'un groupe de travail qui fournira des conseils d'experts à l'égard de la façon dont le processus de légalisation devrait se dérouler, y compris la stricte réglementation de la marijuana et la restriction de l'accès à cette substance. Le groupe de travail réunira les points de vue de plusieurs secteurs différents, notamment la santé, la justice, l'application de la loi et la sécurité publique.

Notre objectif est de faire en sorte que la marijuana demeure hors de la portée des enfants et que les profits ne tombent pas entre les mains des criminels. Soyez assuré que, dans le cadre de notre travail sur cette question, nous accorderons la priorité à la protection des Canadiens et des Canadiennes.

Je vous remercie d'avoir pris le temps de m'écrire et vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.

L'honorable Jody Wilson‑Raybould, c.p., c.r., députée

Francesco Sorbara, Liberal Member of Parliament for Vaughan—Woodbridge (Ontario)

Francesco Sorbara, Liberal Member of Parliament for Vaughan—Woodbridge (Ontario)


***
Fellow former Toronto police chief Bill Blair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and many others have talked of legalization in one form or another, but coffee shops?

“I say it because that is my opponent’s position,” Fantino said of Liberal Francesco Sorbara. “I see legalizing it or putting it in shops as trying to normalize narcotics, when the truth is there is nothing normal about it. It’s a mind-altering drug that causes impairments and like cigarettes is not healthy.”

Looking at past Facebook posts, I did find where Fantino would get the idea Sorbara supports pot in coffee shops.

“This is the right policy. To follow set up coffee shops and get the proceeds away from the drug gangs,” Sorbara posted in 2011.

I contacted Sorbara for clarification on his ideas. His campaign responded with an e-mail that didn’t mention coffee shops but did criticize the Conservatives’ approach.

“Under the current system, Canada has the highest teen usage of marijuana amongst developed countries,” the e-mail says.

“The Liberal solution is clear: If we pass smart laws that tax and strictly regulate marijuana, we can better protect our kids, while preventing millions of dollars from going into the pockets of criminal elements.”
Legal pot would be boon for organized crime: Fantino

 joe-warmington BY JOE WARMINGTON, TORONTO SUN
FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 06:29 PM EDT | UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 07:34 PM EDT
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/10/16/legal-pot-would-be-boon-for-organized-crime-fantino

Julie Dabrusin, Liberal Member of Parliament for 35109 Toronto—Danforth (Ontario)

Julie Dabrusin, Liberal Member of Parliament for 35109 Toronto—Danforth (Ontario)



"A federal perspective Toronto-Danforth MP Julie Dabrusin said when it comes to marijuana there are several issues at hand and said the sale of marijuana for recreational uses remains illegal. She also said there are “very strict rules” in place for the sale and use of medical marijuana. “There really should not be a grey zone,” she said. Dabrusin said anyone with concerns about marijuana dispensaries should contact police or their municipal representative. “I can’t comment on stores specifically (on Danforth),” she said, adding she’s always happy to hear what people are thinking and saying about this topic. “This is one of those issues that has divided jurisdictions.” "
Apr 27, 2016
‘Wild west’ of weed shops springing up along Danforth Avenue
Beach Mirror
By Joanna Lavoie
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6516170--wild-west-of-weed-shops-springing-up-along-danforth-avenue/

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women & Liberal Member of Parliament for 35106 Thunder Bay-Superior North (Ontario)

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women & Liberal Member of Parliament for 35106 Thunder Bay-Superior North (Ontario)



****
Hello:
The Liberal Party is committing to the legalization of marijuana. Further, as the author of the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy, I understand that the legalization of cannabis is the evidence-based way to reduce access by underage youth, decrease the criminalization of people who use substances, and ensure that marijuana consumed by Canadians is quality tested. Legalization can also generate revenue through taxation and save money on incarceration for substance use and trafficking related infractions.

I am firmly in support of cannabis legalization and in fact feel that better education of the Canadian public is required to help voters understand the flaws with the NDP stance of decriminalization, the largest being the supply remaining with the black market.

Patty Hajdu
Liberal Candidate, Thunder Bay Superior North riding

2015 elections
http://norml.ca/election/

Paul Lefebvre, Liberal Member of Parliament for 35103 Sudbury (Ontario)

Paul Lefebvre, Liberal Member of Parliament for 35103 Sudbury (Ontario)


***
Thank you for your question.
Liberals believe that legalization—not simply decriminalization—is the best way to keep marijuana out of the hands of children, prevent the proceeds from funding criminal activities, and reduce the negative health impacts.

As you know, the Conservatives’ approach to marijuana is failing our children. As we know from the World Health Organization, Canada has the highest teen usage of marijuana amongst the countries surveyed.

The system is clearly broken. The Liberal solution is clear: If we pass smart laws that tax and strictly regulate marijuana, we can better protect our children, while preventing millions of dollars from going into the pockets of criminal organizations and street gangs.

Thanks again for this opportunity!

Paul Lefebvre

Federal Liberal Candidate for Sudbury

2015 election
http://norml.ca/election/