Madam Speaker, I certainly expected to cover a variety of topics from Kyoto to marijuana.
I have not had the opportunity to read the report produced by the Senate, nor have I read the report that is being produced by other colleagues. Having said that, I am also from Missouri on the point of decriminalization and/or legalization of marijuana.
I am not overly persuaded that the gains of decriminalization will actually translate into a lesser criminal activity. It may well be argued that what will actually happen is that low level marijuana will be decriminalized but those involved in organized crime will actually increase the potency of marijuana thereby creating a greater addictive effect.
Decriminalization might or might not be part of the answer. I would like to see the reports and the evidence before I come down firmly on that point.