Pubdate: Fri, 19 Apr 2002 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) C-8F68-E03864EBD50B} Copyright: 2002 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Malcolm Curtis VICTORIA COUNCIL ENDORSES SOFTENING NATION'S POT LAWS Victoria has become the second municipality in B.C. to formally support the decriminalization of marijuana use and possession for medicinal purposes. City council Thursday unanimously passed a motion requesting the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to lobby the federal government to relax the laws on marijuana. The motion was proposed by Coun. Rob Fleming, who said it was designed to "move Canada away from treating marijuana as a banned substance to a controlled substance." The motion follows a similar statement endorsed by North Vancouver council. This is a case where "society is way ahead of lawmakers," Fleming said. Many municipalities have expressed the view that fighting medical pot use is a losing battle, "a waste of police resources," he said. Arresting people for medical marijuana use is something police no longer want to do, Fleming said. His motion was supported by Coun. Pam Madoff, who thanked members of the public for educating council about the issue. Several groups of medical users of marijuana, including members of the local Cannabis Buyers Club, have addressed council on the subject this month. More than 20 people, some in wheelchairs, with ailments ranging from cancer to glaucoma, have appealed to council for support on the issue. Fleming said the federal laws, in theory, allow people to use marijuana to alleviate medical problems. But the reality is that lawful access to pot is difficult, if not impossible. Coun. Helen Hughes was cautiously supportive, approving the motion only after it was clarified to refer to medical use of marijuana. But Coun. Denise Savoie said the action is long overdue. "We've been caught in a time warp on cannabis," she said. Ted Smith, a crusader for liberalized marijuana laws and a supporter of the Cannabis Buyers Club, praised council's action. "To learn that we have council's support is encouraging," said Smith, who is battling several marijuana charges before the court. "We've started the ball moving that can hopefully move from Victoria to Halifax." Smith said he hopes to convince other capital region municipalities to jump on the bandwagon. Under the current law, just three dozen people have received federal exemptions to use marijuana in the Victoria area. But there are more than 900 members of the buyers club with medical reasons, certified by a doctor, to use it, Smith said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens