Angus and the NDP call for decriminalization of marijuana

The New Democrats are calling on Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government to decriminalize marijuana before legalizing it.

Trudeau campaigned on a promise to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana, and his government plans to introduce legislation next spring.

New Democrat MP Murray Rankin says that could take two years to come into effect, leaving many Canadians at risk of criminal records for something the government doesn’t believe should be a crime.

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus (NDP) says it’s going to cost a lot of money to get those records ex-sponged.

“If the Prime Minister is serious about legalizing pot, then decriminalize it so that young people aren’t being charged,” he said.

Angus mentions that this was a big topic at the election, and that Trudeau made a promise to legalize pot within 100 days of taking office.

“C’mon Justin,” Angus added, “You ran on this, you made this a big issue, people believed in you, so you’re going to have to follow through.”

Rankin introduced a motion in the House of Commons urging the federal government to immediately decriminalize simple possession of marijuana.

Rankin says all it would take is political will, since Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould has the power to direct prosecutors to avoid pressing charges.

Trudeau has said he does not plan to decriminalize marijuana, arguing it gives a legal stream of income to criminal organizations.

(With files from The Canadian Press)