Canadian prime minister tells lawmakers to begin process of legalizing marijuana

By Emily Gray Brosious 

 

New Canadian prime minster Justin Trudeau ran on a party platform that included marijuana legalization among its key priorities, and the Liberal leader appears to be staying true to that campaign promise.

Trudeau just released a letter to the Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould, outlining top legislative priorities for the administration to begin working on right away — marijuana legalization being one of those top priorities.

Trudeau’s letter instructs Wilson-Raybould to work with the Ministers of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Health to “create a federal-provincial-territorial process that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana.”

Per Trudeau’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Mandate Letter:

We have promised Canadians a government that will bring real change – in both what we do and how we do it. Canadians sent a clear message in this election, and our platform offered a new, ambitious plan for a strong and growing middle class. Canadians expect us to fulfill our commitments, and it is my expectation that you will do your part in delivering on those promises to Canadians.

As Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, your overarching goal will be to ensure our legislation meets the highest standards of equity, fairness and respect for the rule of law.  

I expect you to ensure that our initiatives respect the Constitution of Canada, court decisions, and are in keeping with our proudest legal traditions.  

You are expected to ensure that the rights of Canadians are protected, that our work demonstrates the greatest possible commitment to respecting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and that our government seeks to fulfill our policy goals with the least interference with the rights and privacy of Canadians as possible.