Article content

Analysis

For two years, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have hoped to boost their re-election chances in part by convincing Canadians that Justin Trudeau will put marijuana joints into the hands of their children.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Conservatives' war on pot seems to put them out of step with Canadian public Back to video

On Tuesday, Harper made his move – with an anti-drug announcement partially designed to divert attention from Nigel Wright’s upcoming testimony at the trial of suspended senator Mike Duffy, and with tough talk about the need to continue the war on pot.

“Unlike the other parties, we will not introduce misguided and reckless policies that would downplay, condone or normalize the use of illegal drugs,” Harper said.

But the Conservative leader may soon find he is on the wrong side of the issue. His approach runs counter to what Canadians themselves appear to want.

The government’s own internal polling reveals that more than two-thirds of the public favours a loosening of the marijuana laws – either full legalization or the issuing of fines, instead of a criminal record, for people who possess small amounts of pot.