Nova Scotia's Liberal leader says while he has never smoked marijuana, it's time for Canada to decriminalize the drug.

Stephen McNeil said Wednesday it doesn't make sense to him that in some cases, people can get criminal records for using small quantities of pot.

McNeil said he believes the country is on the way to legalization, although he adds there are still unanswered questions on how that would be implemented.

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"What are the protocols in place, how do we make sure we can check the impairment of an individual — those kinds of things like we do with alcohol," said McNeil.

The Opposition leader also revealed he has never used marijuana after he was quizzed on the matter by a reporter.

"I think I'm in the minority of my generation," McNeil said laughing.

"It probably has something to do with a mother who was a sheriff and five brothers who were law enforcement officers."

McNeil was asked about his views on marijuana following a Halifax Chamber of Commerce event with the province's three main party leaders.

Last week, federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau admitted that he took a pull on a joint at a dinner party three years ago while he was an MP.