OTTAWA — Decriminalize it, study it and then maybe legalize it, the NDP says of marijuana. That's the party's policy, which it will make official this week.

An NDP government would decriminalize the drug immediately and study the health and societal side-effects, QMI Agency has learned.

The plan contrasts with that of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau who said he wants to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana.

The NDP's official policy will be published in a supplemental document alongside a Commons health committee report, which is scheduled to be tabled in the House Tuesday or Wednesday.

Conservatives have a majority on the health committee and its hearings into marijuana were called "Marijuana's Health Risks and Harms," a title that could only produce biased recommendations, NDP health critic Libby Davies said back in June.

An NDP source said the committee's report is biased, doesn't reflect the testimony of the witnesses and its recommendations are a "Conservative pipe dream."

The NDP's minority report calls for a parliamentary study into a possible regulatory framework that would consider community health and safety.

"We're taking the non-sexy position," an NDP source said. "We're saying let's hear from the experts and then take a decision."

The Conservatives previously suggested they could support decriminalizing pot, but they're still studying the issue.

Trudeau’s spokesman, Kate Purchase, said Monday that experts say decriminalization is a “half measure.”

She said the Liberal Party believes that the status quo “is not protecting Canadian children, who use marijuana more than in any other (Western) country.”

Conservative MP Ben Lobb, chairman of the health committee, didn't immediately respond to QMI Agency's request for an interview.