Legalize and Regulate Marijuana WHEREAS, despite almost a century
of prohibition, millions
of Canadians today regularly consume marijuana and other cannabis
products; WHEREAS the failed prohibition
of marijuana has exhausted countless billions
of dollars spent on ineffective or incomplete enforcement and has resulted in unnecessarily dangerous and expensive congestion in our judicial system; WHEREAS various marijuana decriminalization or legalization policy prescriptions have been recommended by the 1969 - 72 Commission
of Enquiry into the Non-Medical Use
of Drugs, the 2002 Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, and the 2002 House
of Commons Special Committee on the Non-Medical Use
of Drugs; WHEREAS the legal status quo for the criminal regulation
of marijuana continues to endanger Canadians by generating significant resources for gang - related violent criminal activity and weapons smuggling — a reality which could be very easily confronted by the regulation and legitimization
of Canada's marijuana industry; BE IT RESOLVED that a new Liberal government will legalize marijuana and ensure the regulation and taxation
of its production,
distribution, and use, while enacting strict penalties for illegal trafficking, illegal importation and exportation, and impaired driving; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a new Liberal government will invest significant resources in prevention and education programs designed to promote awareness
of the health risks and consequences
of marijuana use and dependency, especially amongst youth; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a new Liberal government will extend amnesty to all Canadians previously convicted
of simple and minimal marijuana possession, and ensure the elimination
of all criminal records related thereto; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a new Liberal government will work with the provinces and local governments
of Canada on a coordinated regulatory approach to marijuana which maintains significant federal responsibility for marijuana control while respecting provincial health jurisdiction and
particular regional concerns and practices.