Immediately decriminalizing marijuana possession before the government can implement its comprehensive legal regime would increase the profits of organized crime and possibly make it easier for young Canadians to access the drug, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould argued Monday.

In a debate in the House on NDP MP Murray Rankin’s opposition day motion, which calls for the government to “recognize the contradiction” of giving Canadians criminal records for something the government has stated shouldn’t be criminal, Wilson-Raybould laid out the reasons she thought the well-intentioned proposal was a mistake.

“Decriminalizing possession of marijuana without ensuring the appropriate controls are in place for its safe production, distribution, and access, would be giving a green light to dealers and criminal organizations to continue to sell unregulated, unsafe marijuana to Canadians — especially children and youth,” she said.

“Simply removing the criminal penalties for criminal possession of marijuana would do nothing to make it harder for young people to access it. In fact, decriminalization might actually make it easier to acquire. Nor would decriminalization ensure that the quality of marijuana would be safe for consumption.”

Black market marijuana is often contaminated with pesticides, herbicides, and mold, she added. And Canada currently has one of the highest rates of youth marijuana usage in the developed world.

Though the government has committed to setting up a legalization task force shortly and tabling legislation by next April, Rankin suggested Monday that that could mean over 100,000 Canadians will “suffer the consequences” of possessing small amounts of marijuana as the government spends $3 million to $4 million prosecuting them.

Because the legalization bill likely won’t be in force until 2018.

But Wilson-Raybould countered that “rushing into decriminalization” isn’t the answer.

“We are confident when the government bill is brought forward, members of the House will appreciate why it’s important to take the time needed to engage with experts and all Canadians in order to develop this important but complex legislative framework,” she said.

In the meantime, she clarified, there should be no ambiguity with respect to the law and its enforcement.

“The law is in force and it should be obeyed,” she said. “The police have been enforcing this legislation and have the legal authority to do so until the law is changed.”