Dear Editor:

Should marijuana be legalized?

Independent candidate Brent Bush thinks so. The Conservative Party, in the midst of their National Anti-Drug Strategy, have no intention of legalizing the contentious weed. Candidate David Wilks publicly shares his views of the danger of marijuana as a gateway drug.

Now it gets murky.

In 2003 the Liberals, under then- prime minister Martin, introduced a decriminalization bill, which was not passed. Last September current Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said his party would reintroduce legislation to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use, but otherwise he appears to oppose legalization.

It appears the NDP previously supported the legalization of cannabis until current leader Jack Layton reversed his position on the issue on March 16th, 2009. Prior to this, he had been highly in favour of legalization and was even interviewed in Marc Emerys home, praising marijuana as a wonderful substance.

I do not know the issue position of current NDP (former Liberal) candidate Mark Shmigelsky. It might be:

1) The former position of his former party; 2) The current position of his former party; 3) The former position of his current party; 4) The current position of his current party; or 5) None of the above.

Any clarification Mark?

Dale Shudra

Radium Hot Springs