From: brewnoserii@gmail.com   
      
       
   Young - and even older people - who currently have criminal records under   
   current marijuana laws will be lining up to have their records expunged.     
      
   That should get quite a few younger voters out in the next election, don't you   
   think?   
   _____________________________________________   
      
   CBC News Posted: Aug 21, 2015   
      
   Mulcair pledges NDP will decriminalize pot 'the minute we form government'   
   The NDP has supported decriminalizing marijuana for decades   
      
   NDP Leader Tom Mulcair pledged Thursday to decriminalize marijuana immediately   
   if the NDP forms the next government of Canada.   
      
   "I want to make sure that everybody understands that the NDP's position is   
   decriminalization the minute we form government," Mulcair said in response to   
   a question at a campaign event in Vancouver on Thursday.   
      
   Asked why the NDP favours decriminalization as opposed to legalization, the   
   policy favoured by the Liberals, Mulcair emphasized his party's longstanding   
   commitment to decriminalization.   
      
   "The NDP has had the same position for about 40 years," Mulcair said.   
   "Decriminalizing marijuana is the position of the NDP, it's my position and   
   it's something that we can do immediately."   
      
      
   Hot topic on campaign trail   
      
   Marijuana policy has been a hot topic in the months and years leading up to   
   the election campaign, with the Liberals coming out in favour of legalization   
   and the Tories launching ads criticizing such a policy.   
      
   During an event Last week to announce new funding to combat drug labs,   
   Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said a majority of Canadians agree with his   
   opposition on legalization.   
      
   However,  a poll commissioned by the Department of Justice last year found   
   that more than two-thirds of Canadians wanted the federal government to ease   
   the laws regarding possession and use of cannabis.   
      
   Harper's comments were technically correct because 37.3 per cent of   
   respondents supported legalization, while another 33.4 per cent supported   
   decriminalization and fines for possession of small amounts of the drug.   The   
   survey found 13.7 per cent of    
   Canadians wanted pot laws to remain the same and 12 per cent wanted penalties   
   to increase.   
      
   While former Conservative justice minister Peter Mackay said last year the   
   government was considering a more lenient approach on pot, including allowing   
   police to issue tickets to those caught with small amounts of the weed, laws   
   have remained the same.   
      
      
   Medical marijuana laws revised   
      
   The Tory government did overhaul the medical marijuana system last year.  The   
   previous regulations allowed patients to grow their own pot, designate someone   
   else to do it, or order supplies from Health Canada.  The new rules require   
   patients to order    
   from a licensed commercial producer.   
      
   Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against the federal   
   government and expanded the definition of medical marijuana beyond its dried   
   form to include extracts and derivatives such as oils and edibles.     
   Conservative candidate Rona Ambrose,   
    the current health minister, said she was "outraged" by the decision.   
      
   Mulcair said it's time for a change.   
      
   "Mr. Harper's plan has failed so we've got to start doing things differently.    
   I have been categorical that no person should ever face criminal charges or a   
   criminal record for personal use of marijuana," Mulcair said.   
      
   Asked about whether the NDP would extend amnesty to those convicted under old   
   laws, Mulcair said it would be something his party would "sit down and look   
   at."   
      
   http://i.cbc.ca/1.2469013.1387387856!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jp   
   _gen/derivatives/16x9_620/ndp-leader-tom-mulcair-year-end.jpg   
      
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