Dear Mr._____,

Thank you for your letter regarding Bill S-10 and the mandatory minimum sentences for marijuana possession and distribution. Please let me begin by stating that I understand this is a sensitive issue. I would also like to say that I found your letter very well-reasoned and compelling.

As of now, however, I feel that I must maintain my decision to support Bill S-10. Your points about the American situation and its consequences, including the “bloated prisons, sky-rocketing debt and loss of more civil liberties” are persuasive. The fact is that marijuana position and distribution are not merely ongoing problems, but are issues that are increasing in frequency and severity. While some may like to overlook the harmfulness of a drug like marijuana, I do not feel that we are doing enough to reduce participation in this drug trade.

You have pointed out the possible negative consequences to increasing penalties for marijuana possession and trafficking. Do you have other ideas that might serve as improved alternatives to Bill S-10? What do you propose we do in order to limit these violations and punish the violators?

Thank you for sharing your concerns with me. If you have alternative proposals I will look forward to hearing them.

Sincerely,

Justin P. J. Trudeau

Anybody have an update on the Senate hearings on S-10? I thought they were going to debate it a month ago.