Will the stance on Marijuana Legalization decide who becomes the next Prime Minister of Canada? With all three leading candidates holding conflicting views on legalization, the stage is set for a showdown. This controversial topic is on the minds of young voters to senior citizens alike, and most candidates are trying to avoid it as much as possible.
While Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau openly holds opposite views on legalization from Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair is trying to appeal to both sides of the issue. In a recent interview Thomas Mulcair called adult recreational marijuana use a “personal choice”. But he has refused to openly support legalization, citing ”complex” problems with supplying the huge amount of marijuana consumed by Canadians. Trudeau says Thomas Mulcair’s proposed campaign is a thinly veiled attack on his pro-legalization stance.
While this generic answer is frustrating to some voters, it has also provided Thomas Mulcair with a jump in the polls. He now leads with a 37% vote, up 6% from April. Justin Trudeau is following in second place with 32%, up 2% from April. Stephen Harper has fallen a shocking 7% down to 31%. It is debatable what is hurting Stephen Harper more, his archaic views on Marijuana use or the recent Mike Duffy scandal.
Is the Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau ready to fully embrace the legalization of Marijuana? Many of his supporters are counting on it, even if he receives backlash from his views on it. After all, his campaign is based on REAL Change for Canada. Stephen Harper called out Justin Trudeau’s relaxed stance on legalization, accusing Justin Trudeau of planning to have Marijuana available on every corner store, making it easier for kids to access it. Justin Trudeau responded that while he supports Marijuana Legalization, he would apply strict regulations to its sale.
While the politicians continue to call each other names, one thing is clear: Marijuana Legalization is on the minds of voters. With the top two candidates holding relaxed views on Cannabis consumption, even Canada’s top law enforcement officials are starting to call for a different approach to the current system. Legalization is happening around the world, with Colorado & Washington seeing shockingly positive results. The question is, when will this imminent change happen in Canada?