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Yet when it comes to marijuana, evidence-based policy seems to take a backseat to political expediency. Indeed, by endorsing decriminalization, Mulcair can appeal to those two thirds of Canadians who say they support legalization or decriminalization, without alienating the centre-right voters to which he is now trying also to appeal. Decriminalization might be a pointless half-measure that essentially preserves the status quo (perhaps with fewer courtroom hours) but hey — it’s easy to digest.

Mulcair has said he supports decriminalization because, “The NDP has had the same position for about 40 years”

Trudeau, to his credit, seems to be the only one looking to the successes of places like Colorado — which collected $76 million in tax revenue from marijuana sales in 2014 — as a model for a Canadian legalization scheme, though he has also cited (less to his credit) legalization as a way to keep marijuana “out of the hands of kids.” Legalization might come with many boons: tax revenues, law enforcement savings, crime reduction, better quality control, greater medical research opportunities, but it has not been shown to reduce (or increase) marijuana usage among teens.

Still, at least there is some research backing up much of Trudeau’s position. Mulcair, on the other hand, has said he supports decriminalization simply because, “The NDP has had the same position for about 40 years.”

“Decriminalizing marijuana is the position of the NDP, it’s my position and it’s something that we can do immediately,” he added. Indeed, who needs evidence when you have a party precedent, and an easy sell?

National Post

Robyn Urback • rurback@nationalpost.com | robynurback