BR NS Chretien Marijuana – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
May 10, 2016 

HALIFAX – Jean Chretien says politicians have to adjust to changing times, as his own views on marijuana have evolved since he was first elected in the early 1960s.

He said yesterday in Halifax that at times that has put him in conflict with his conservative upbringing in a large, Roman Catholic family in rural Quebec.

When asked about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to legalize the sale of marijuana, Chretien told reporters he is in favour of decriminalization.

Chretien’s government tried in 2003 to pass a law decriminalizing simple possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The bill died when Parliament was prorogued.

Chretien says it’s completely unacceptable that a young person who smokes marijuana should end up with a criminal record for the rest of their lives.

He says his party’s position is – quote – “the modern thing to do.”

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mim/mpt

(The Canadian Press)

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