lead in liberalizing marijuana laws

"As of November, any Canadian caught with as few as six cannabis plants faces a mandatory six-month minimum prison term. Ironically, the new rules came into effect at the same time that Washington state and Colorado voted to tax and regulate the recreational use of marijuana by adults. ... In addition to the two states that legalized the adult use of marijuana, three more legalized it for medical uses. A total of 18 states now allow medical marijuana, and 12 have decriminalized possession of the drug. Meanwhile, Canadian policy is moving in the opposite direction."

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/01/21/wood-antweiler-canada-should-follow-americas-lead-in-liberalizing-marijuana-laws