Activist Dana Larsen‘s attempt to reacquaint Liberal MPs with the pleasant effects of cannabis over the holiday season has been met by the government with less than a pleasant response.
The Sensible BC director mailed out packages to all Liberal MPs with a copy of his book, Cannabis in Canada – The Illustrated History, along with a gram of dried cannabis.
As MPs returned to office after the holidays and began receiving the packages the Liberal Whip was prompted to send out an email telling those that were mailed the gifts get in touch with police.
“It is not recommended that you dispose of the material yourself, or return it to its sender,” the email read.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd’s office followed the instructions from Ottawa and contacted local police in Cobourg who, according to Cobourg police constable Khoby Langdon will likely destroy the cannabis and keep the remainder of the package as evidence.
Larsen took to Facebook to say he’s pleased with the amount of attention his project has received so far, and hopes it continues to generate discussion on cannabis policy in the country.
“Some of the Liberal MPs have called in the RCMP to take away their free gram of cannabis,” Larsen wrote. “But this MP in Ontario also gave the RCMP his free book, as “evidence.” I hope the officers pass it around the police station and maybe learn about the wonderful history of cannabis in Canada.”
At least one MP has ignored the government’s recommendation though. On his Twitter account, Beaches-East York MP Nate Erskine-Smith thanked Larsen for the gift, but said he hadn’t yet smoked it.
“On a serious note, thousands of Canadians are charged every year for marijuana possession,” Erskine-Smith wrote. “A sensible policy is long overdue.”