Stephen Harper: Marijuana is «infinitely worse» than tobacco

Canada's Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper has once again voiced his strong opposition to a change in the country's drug laws. marijuana, calling it «infinitely worse» than tobacco at a campaign rally in Montreal on Sunday.

«Tobacco is a product that causes a lot of harm. Marijuana is infinitely worse and something we don't want to encourage.».

His remark was in response to a reporter's question about why he refused to legislate in favor of marijuana, when tobacco and alcohol are regulated and cannabis is already used for a number of medical reasons in Canada.

«There's just more and more scientific and medical evidence that marijuana causes long-term negative effects,» he replied, citing no studies to that effect.

The marijuana was a recurring issue throughout the Canadian federal election campaign. The Liberal Party of Justin Trudeau supports legalization and regulation, while Thomas Mulcair's New Democratic Party is more inclined towards decriminalization.

During Sunday's address, Harper reiterated his commitment to tougher drug laws, aimed directly at drug dealers who profit from «destroying people's health».

Harper had previously broached the subject with Justin Trudeau during the campaign's second French-language debate last week, challenging him on his positions.

«If we sell cannabis in stores like alcohol and tobacco, will that protect our children? I don't think so,» said Harper.

«The reality is that we have kids who buy marijuana more easily than cigarettes and beer,» Trudeau replied. «If a young person buys marijuana, it's because they're in contact with a criminal. We will continue to control marijuana like cigarettes and alcohol, we're not going to sell them on street corners.»

Harper's release on 'infinitely worse» received a mixed reception on the Internets, with many Internet users pointing to the deaths caused by tobacco and alcohol.

In August, Harper argued that a majority of Canadians supported his opposition to the legalizing cannabis in Canada. According to the latest research from Vote Compass, an online tool for finding out where you stand on the political spectrum, a majority of Canadians are in favor of decriminalization or legalization for personal use, including voters identified as Conservatives. A first step towards legalization in Canada?