Pubdate: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html Website: http://www.theprovince.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Vivian Luk FORMER MAYORS PUSH FOR LEGAL POT Marijuana: Prohibition Of Drug, The Group Writes, Leads To Illegal Trade And Violence Four former Vancouver mayors "" Larry Campbell, Michael Harcourt, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen "" released a letter on Wednesday, urging the province's politicians to legalize and regulate marijuana use in B.C. Prohibition only leads to illegal trade and gang violence, the former mayors said. "oeMarijuana prohibition is "" without question "" a failed policy," the letter states. "oeIt is creating violent, gang-related crime in our communities and fear among our citizens, and adding financial costs for all levels of government at a time when we can least afford them. Politicians cannot ignore the status quo any longer, and must develop and deliver alternative marijuana policies that avoid the social and criminal harms that stem directly from cannabis prohibition." According to the former mayors, anti-cannabis strategies have failed to reduce the drug's availability to young people. They said that B.C.'S illegal marijuana trade may be worth up to $7 billion annually, and that a legally regulated market for marijuana would reduce usage as well as address organized crime by "oestarving them of this cash cow." "oeThis massive illegal market drives violence in communities throughout the province," they wrote. "oeNew thinking, new policies and collaboration across party lines are required to protect our communities and make them safer." The former mayors cited in their letter a recent Angus Reid poll, commissioned by the Stop the Violence B.C. coalition, that indicated a majority of British Columbians believe that chasing and arresting marijuana producers and sellers is ineffective. Politicians should listen to British Columbians and change marijuana policies, the former politicians said. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart