Canada takes a step towards legalizing cannabis

Canada is officially on the road to cannabis legalization. In a letter outlining his responsibilities, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis in Canada.

The letter includes the following request: «I expect you to work with your colleagues and the relevant legislative and regulatory authorities, and make this process your top priority».

Read more: Justin Trudeau's election boosts medical cannabis prices

The list of objectives includes «working with the Ministry of Public Safety and Health to create a territorial, provincial and federal process that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana».

Within the future task force of cannabis legalization, Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould could use a little help from Ralph Goodale (Public Safety) and Jane Philpott (Health) to get the job done. Who are these 3 people?

Jody Wilson-Raybould is a former prosecutor, area representative

Jody Wilson-Raybould hails from British Columbia, a background that may have influenced Justin Trudeau's choice, as the province is a pioneer in cannabis reform.

The new Minister of Justice's CV includes a position as a prosecutor, member of the British Columbia Commission and regional representative to the Assembly of First Nations.

During Justin Trudeau's campaign, she was endorsed by Sensible BC, a pro-legalization group that singled out Jody as the candidate who could defeat the Conservatives who opposed legalization.

«Our goal is to elect the most pro-cannabis candidates who have the best chance of beating the Conservatives,» had reported Dana Larsen, director of Sensible BC.

Jody Wilson-Raybould hasn't officially taken a stand in favor of cannabis legalization, but it goes without saying that Sensible BC and other cannabis activists are waiting for her around the corner.

Dr. Jane Philpott is a physician and legalization advocate.

The new Minister of Health is a general practitioner in Ontario, a professor at the University of Toronto, and leads numerous health initiatives. She also practiced medicine in Niger for ten years, and helped set up training programs for village health workers.

During the recent election, she took a stand in favor of legalizing cannabis in Canada on behalf of the Liberal Party. She used her Twitter account extensively to cast doubt on the allegations made by former Toronto Police Chief and Conservative Minister Julian Fantino: «Fantino completely misrepresents the Liberal Party's approach. The reality is that regulation will make marijuana less accessible to minors« she posted in mid-August.

Fantino completely distorts LPC approach. In fact, regulation will make marijuana less accessible to minors. http://t.co/bhz86YGSSG #cdnpoli

- Jane Philpott (@janephilpott) August 17, 2014

Ralph Goodale is a former member of the Liberal Parliament.

The new Minister of Public Safety was first elected to the Canadian Parliament 40 years ago. He has held several roles in the Liberal cabinet, including Natural Resources, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Finance.

In response to a New York Times editorial Last year, Goodale asked the newspaper to do a report on the legalization of cannabis.

«It's one more comment with a lot of intellectual stature behind it that shows the current prohibition regime isn't working,» says Goodale. «All the profits are in the hands of gangs, and society is neither healthier nor safer. Surely there's room for intelligent discussion about how we can do better.

The Canadian government is therefore pursuing the legalization and regulation of cannabis, in order to do as well or better than in the United States. An enlightened government? We ask.