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.
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