[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by SebC

If Smith's has regressed to prohibitionist thinking, I'll retract my endorsement of her position on this issue. Usually people advance with society though.

Her position is no comment.

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith has twice refused interview requests from the Herald to discuss legal issues around pot and whether she has ever partaken.In the last week, Premier Alison Redford has rejected calls to loosen Canada’s marijuana laws and said she has never tried pot.

Both Liberal Leader Raj Sherman and NDP Leader Brian Mason said Friday they are in favour of decriminalization and both acknowledged using marijuana in the past.

But Smith’s press secretary, Vitor Marciano, said it’s a federal issue.

“We will not comment on it,” he said in an e-mail.

Wildrose’s silence on the issue is giving political fodder to the Progressive Conservative government.

Denis said Friday it is up to individual politicians whether they disclose their marijuana history — noting he’s never smoked it or tobacco because he is asthmatic — but Alberta’s justice minister doesn’t buy Smith’s rationale for not talking about cannabis laws.

While the Criminal Code is a federal responsibility, any change in policy would have a major impact on the province in areas such as law enforcement, corrections and health, he said.

“Ms. Smith comments on every issue and refuses to comment on this one?” Denis said. “It shows a lack of leadership on her part and the question I ask is, what is she hiding?”

Denis pointed out that Smith, as an editorial board columnist for the Herald a decade ago, supported decriminalization. He said Albertans need to know whether her position has changed or is the same.

Other Wildrose MLAs contacted Friday, Joe Anglin and Shayne Saskiw, also refused to comment on marijuana.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/po...630/story.html