Response To My Open Letter - Irene Mathyssen

For 4/20 I sent an open letter to several key government people, Irene Mathyssen was the first to respond. No shock since she is a fine person and shares many of the same views as I do. Here is her response:

Dear [420Guy]

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the current Canadian marijuana policy.

We in the NDP are aware of the problems created by the current drug policies and are opposed to the Conservative Party’s move to introduce an anti-drug policy comparable to US war-on-drugs. Policy for marijuana has too often approached the issue from the wrong perspective by focusing on illegality as a primary means of preventing its use. The NDP believes in beginning a national discussion that would approach the topic in a rational and thoughtful way. We think that through a national discussion, Canada would be able to build a workable policy on marijuana, which recognises the failure of criminalizing people for drug use.

My college Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East, is the spokesperson for the NDP on Drug Policy. For more information on the issue of a more sustainable Canadian drug policy, please visit her website at:

http://www.libbydavies.ca/mpupdate/safetyanddrugs.html

Thank you again for your email. If you have any other questions or comments in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Sincerely,

Irene Mathyssen,
Member of Parliament
London-Fanshawe
NDP Critic, Status of Women