Hi students,

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me…I’ve been tied up with work since returning from winter break.

On January 16th Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, spoke at the University of Victoria (UVIC) in Victoria, Canada. When asked about whether he supports legalizing marijuana Ignatieff had this to say,

“I never make comments on the personal lifestyle choices of my colleagues and friends, and I’ve never felt that marijuana use or, for example, possession of small amounts of marijuana are to be criminalized or that anybody should suffer consequences for personal recreational uses of marijuana. But then I have to say to people who then ask me if I want to legalize marijuana, and I know you don’t want to hear me say this, but I’d say no”

Let’s take a close look at Ignatieff’s statement. First,

“I never make comments on the personal lifestyle choices of my colleagues and friends, and I’ve never felt that marijuana use or, for example, possession of small amounts of marijuana are to be criminalized or that anybody should suffer consequences for personal recreational uses of marijuana.”

Here Ignatieff is saying “each to his own” or “what you do with your body is your business.” Okay, good, so Ignatieff agrees that if an individual wants to smoke pot, they shouldn’t go to jail for doing so. The last part of this sentence pleases me the most….Ignatieff agrees that an individual should not suffer consequences for the personal recreational use of marijuana. Up to here I am happy with Ignatieff’s statement. It’s the next part that throws me off a little,

“But then I have to say to people who then ask me if I want to legalize marijuana, and I know you don’t want to hear me say this, but I’d say no”

It’s not the fact that Ignatieff is against legalizing marijuana that annoys me, it’s how he contradicts himself. He believes that marijuana should be illegal, but decriminalized, suggesting that one can not go to jail for smoking a joint, but, can be given a fine. Last time I checked receiving a fine for smoking pot is suffering a consequence for the personal recreational use of marijuana. Obvious? Apparently not to Ignatieff. To me it looks like Ignatieff probably supports legalizing marijuana, he just doesn’t have the guts to say so. So, Ignatieff, Professor Blaze has been kind enough to re-write your statement for you,

“I never make comments on the personal lifestyle choices of my colleagues and friends, and I’ve never felt that marijuana use or, for example, possession of small amounts of marijuana are to be criminalized. However, I do believe that people should suffer some consequences for personal recreational uses of marijuana, just not major consequences. I have to say to people who then ask me if I want to legalize marijuana, and I know you don’t want to hear me say this, but I’d say no”

Happy blazing!

Professor Blaze

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About the author  Hi students. Professor Blaze here! I've been studying both the scientific and social aspects of marijuana for the last 30 years, and I consider myself an expert on the topic. Read more from this author