The time has come to legalize, regulate, control and tax the production and distribution of cannabis in Canada.

I have led the push for legalization inside the Liberal caucus for years. For example, as co-chair of the Policy Caucus, I brought legalization of cannabis to Bob Rae and to caucus as a policy priority. In November 2011, I worked closely with the Young Liberals of British Columbia on Resolution 117 to legalize and regulate marijuana.  That resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority at the 2012 Liberal Party Biennial Convention in Ottawa. Legalization represents an important opportunity to demonstrate that our Party’s policies are evidence-based and member-driven.

Our message to Canadians must be clear: the prohibition of cannabis is dangerous policy just like alcohol prohibition once was. It is dangerous because prohibiting cannabis puts the health of our citizens and the safety of our communities at risk. Prohibition takes the production and distribution of cannabis outside of the law where quality and access can't be controlled. Prohibition channels profits into criminal organizations, and away from the tax system. Prohibition wastes valuable police and justice services.