While Canada waits for legalization, marijuana activists call for moratorium on arrests

The federal Liberals' plan to legalize recreational marijuana is officially underway. Canada’s new minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould (MP for Vancouver Granville) received instructions to make it happen last November. And on January 8, Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau appointed former Toronto police chief Bill Blair to head those efforts.

But Trudeau has said the process should begin with consultation with the provinces. And so it will likely be several years before legal cannabis is a reality.

In the meantime, one of Canada’s leading activists for marijuana reform is calling for the government to immediately place a moratorium on arrests related to the possession of cannabis.

 

“As the government moves to legalizing marijuana, it is unjust to continue arresting people,” Jodie Emery said in a telephone interview.

She told the Straight she has requested a meeting with her member of Parliament, Hedy Fry, which has been scheduled for February 11. Emery said she has also sent...

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