Canada’s Prime Minister open to softening anti-marijuana laws

Canada’s prime minister Stephen Harper is open to softening laws against recreational marijuana use, changing his tone from seven years back when he hit what he called a Beatles-era drug culture. Attorney General Peter MacKay said the government has not yet decided if it will legalize or decriminalize marijuana possession and use. Harper’s apparent about-face comes after rival Justin Trudeau’s call to legalize marijuana use. The opposition Liberal leader, who has admitted smoking pot since being elected to parliament in 2008, has come out ahead in polls. Under the proposed law, police would be allowed to fine pot smokers for possession of small amounts of cannabis, instead of laying criminal charges. But the ruling Conservative caucus appeared split on the issue, with some government ministers inclined to support an existing prohibition on pot.

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