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Sunday, September 21, 2008
Jack Layton, Marc Emery, and the B.C. Marijuana Party
Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, looks to be busy trying to shed the marijuana reform community from the ranks of the NDP.
Check out this video from CPAC:
Now watch this video of Layton on Emery's POT-TV making a direct plea to the marijuana community:
I don't doubt that Emery is telling the truth when he tells us that Layton and Emery had an agreement--Layton would continue to push marijuana reform, and Emery would push the NDP within the marijuana community.
Matthew Johnston suspects that the NDP has thrown the marijuana community off their train. I agree. And the explanation might be something like Layton smelling official opposition status--the Liberals are running an atrocity of a campaign in this election cycle--and is doing his best to appear "mainstream."
It's a bad strategy. Marijuana reform is a mainstream issue in Canada. Since the NDP has apparently made the decision to distance themselves from the issue, marijuana reform advocates have few places left to go. The Liberals are too weak-kneed about it and the Tories are too pro-war-on-drugs (even if there are some good MPs in their ranks). That means the Greens and the Libertarian Party will probably be the main beneficiaries of Layton's about-face.
Posted by P.M. Jaworski on September 21, 2008 in Canadian Politics | Permalink
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Comments
Marijuana reform is a mainstream issue in Canada.
Posted by P.M. Jaworski on September 21, 2008
Says who?
Posted by: The Stig | 2008-09-21 7:57:38 PM
Says me and the polls that consistently show that most Canadians have tried pot, and most Canadians think pot should be legal. Not decriminalized--legalized.
Posted by: P.M. Jaworski | 2008-09-21 8:10:44 PM
I support decriminalization but let's face facts. Layton is a hippie who likes to puff the wacky tobaccy but for potheads to support him is ludicrous. If Emery supports freedom and libertarian principles, why would he strike a deal with the most statist party in Canadian politics? It's sheer hypocricy. Perhaps you shouldn't invite him to your liberty retreats any more.
Posted by: Buchanan | 2008-09-21 8:14:55 PM
It should be legal but it is more harmful than cigarettes. The double standard of morons smoking joints at concerts (and goon bouncers ignoring it) while people get escorted out for lighting up a Du Maurier is outragous. I would like to see the potheads stand up for tobacco smokers as well.
Posted by: Buchanan | 2008-09-21 8:22:26 PM
If Emery supports freedom and libertarian principles, why would he strike a deal with the most statist party in Canadian politics? It's sheer hypocricy. Perhaps you shouldn't invite him to your liberty retreats any more.
Posted by: Buchanan | 21-Sep-08 8:14:55 PM
Good question.
I'm starting to think the Libertarian movement is becoming all about pot. At least it is on this blog.
It sad too, because the principles of freedom are so much broader based than merely the right to spark a doobie.
Posted by: JC | 2008-09-21 8:32:43 PM
JC: This is the "big issue" at the moment. Take my word for it--you'll see a lot more on, for instance, the free expression issue as soon as... tomorrow.
Posted by: P.M. Jaworski | 2008-09-21 8:38:36 PM
It's time for Marc Emery
to follow in the footsteps
of his hero- Nelson Mandella-
and that means...
start running
his politcal party
from a prison cell.
Posted by: 419 | 2008-09-21 8:47:40 PM
JC: This is the "big issue" at the moment. Take my word for it--you'll see a lot more on, for instance, the free expression issue as soon as... tomorrow.
Posted by: P.M. Jaworski | 21-Sep-08 8:38:36 PM
I look forward to coverage of other things PMJ
Thanks,
Posted by: JC | 2008-09-21 9:18:25 PM
It's a mainstream issue because lots and lots of people are going to set up light over the next few months when they see their pensions disappear thanks to the fraudsters south of the border.
Posted by: escapegoat | 2008-09-21 10:24:23 PM
The NDP simply want a nice big chair at the North American Union table. If they have to they will sell out the whole country.
Posted by: Roy | 2008-09-21 10:44:47 PM
What you see is not all. The complete version I found here: http://tubedirect.net/index.php?q=BC-Marijuana-Party
Enjoy!
Posted by: Jim | 2008-09-22 1:30:21 AM
Trying to see through the silly smoke, the bigger story might be that the Liberals seem to have been displaced by Harper's (centre-left) "conservatives" possibly elevating Layton to official opposition status. Layton, being leaned-on by his somewhat red-neck blue-collar labour brain trust, may be responding with his new-found puritanism. The lost opportunity here is that the Libertarians are busy trying to pick-up a few disaffected NDPers instead of a large traditional conservative block who appear to now be disenfranchised.
Legalizing Pot, despite it's morality and logic will not happen in Canada before it happens in Washington unless Canada wants to sacrifice its commodity-based economy. Perhaps, even the NDP can see that!
Posted by: John Chittick | 2008-09-22 10:04:14 AM
The people here think its about the right to spark a joint.
It is about our personal freedoms and political oppression sanctioned by the government. I have been sparking joints for nearly a half century and don't seek the right to do that from anyone. I just do it as do millions of other can, without the government stopping anyone.
It is the right of all not to be oppressed with the weight of the government Justice system criminally, that is what we want.
I want a safe society where criminals don't get to control the distribution and sell to ever younger children, like they do now.
I want less criminal violence over drug turf in my neighborhood. I don't want to contribute to crime when I purchase my Cannabis which is my right as a living entity to use.
And I don't give a crap about American trade in Commodities, we have stuff they want too, I live in this country and this is the country that I am working to make safer for our children.
If our Parliamentarians can't figure out a way to make laws in a sovereign country for the safety of its citizens, perhaps its to time for armed revolution or a change of flags.
Posted by: budoracle | 2008-09-22 10:59:13 AM
Budo,
1. Shocking.
2. Of course you seek the right. You’re running for office to enshrine that right. Who do you think you’re kidding?
3. “We”? For whom else do you speak? Because I’ve a feeling it won’t be for the citizens of Vancouver.
4. Good. Then you will stop financing these criminals’ operations immediately, and purchase no more illegal product.
5. See 4.
6. You make the country safer by financing criminals as a matter of principle?
7. An armed revolution of sixty-something peaceniks and potheads. Yeah, that’ll go far.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2008-09-22 11:11:28 AM
Actually, John, it's not even about the commodities. It's the fact that Canada is a signatory to international drug control treaties and there would be diplomatic consequences if we opted out. Despite what the potheads seem to think, there are only a handful of countries out there where pot is legal, most of them in South America, and Canadian tokers aren't exactly emigrating to them in droves.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2008-09-22 11:14:11 AM
Shane
Agreed. The US could simply just increase security at all border crossings and bring trade to a standstill without any formal "noise". I think Budoracle made my point and I thank him.
Posted by: John Chittick | 2008-09-22 11:24:55 AM
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