Canada's Liberal government promises to legalize marijuana

TORONTO — Canada's new Liberal government is again promising to legalize marijuana in a speech outlining its agenda as Parliament resumes after the Oct. 19 election.

A speech delivered Friday by Gov. Gen. David Johnston reiterated new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plan to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana. It is a position Trudeau has held since becoming leader of the Liberal Party in 2013.

Trudeau has said that legalizing marijuana would fix a "failed system" and help remove the "criminal element" linked to the drug.

He also has said that Canadians would benefit from analyzing the experiences of Colorado and Washington state, which recently legalized pot.