PM wraps cabinet retreat with hint of pot pardons to come – after legalization
LONDON, Ont. — Canadians convicted of simple marijuana possession will have to wait until recreational pot is legalized later this year before learning if they’ll be pardoned for something that will no longer be a crime.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ruled out Friday declaring an amnesty before the new law goes into effect in July.
“We recognize that anyone who is currently purchasing marijuana is participating in illegal activity that is funding criminal organizations and street gangs,” he told a news conference wrapping up a two-day cabinet retreat.
“And therefore we do not want to encourage in any way people to engage in that behaviour until the law is changed.”