Liberals Welcome CAMH Call for Marijuana Legalization

October 9, 2014

TORONTO – The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today responded to the policy statement from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH):

“Liberals welcome the call for the legalization and regulation of marijuana by the CAMH, which is widely recognized as a world-leading research centre in the field of mental health and addictions.”

“The unfortunate reality is, Canada leads the developed world in the number of youth who use marijuana. The current system serves to fund gangs and criminal elements.”

“We agree with the CAMH that a well-regulated, legal system for marijuana access promotes public health and safety, reduces the harms associated with the use of marijuana, and helps to keep the drug out of the hands of our children – which is exactly what Liberals have been advocating.”

Background:

CAMH in its own words on Canada’s current marijuana policies:

“Canada’s current system of cannabis control is failing to prevent or reduce the harms associated with cannabis use.”

“Based on a thorough review of the evidence, we believe that legalization combined with strict regulation of cannabis is the most effective means of reducing the harms associated with its use.”

“We’ve known for a long time that the existing approach to cannabis policy is not working.”