Pubdate: Tue, 06 Dec 2011
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Black Press
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/5n7vJzqp
Website: http://drugsense.org/url/zLXtMKI5
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361
Author: Neil Horner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

FEDS TO STAY TOUGH ON POT

Despite four former mayors of Vancouver and the current one, all 
calling for the decriminalization of marijuana, Nanaimo-Alberni MP 
James Lunney isn't impressed.

Sam Sullivan, Larry Campbell, Mike Harcourt and Philip Owen all 
called for the legalization of marijuana in a joint statement 
recently, citing growing gang violence related to the drug's 
prohibition. They were later joined in the call by current mayor 
Gregor Robertson.

In their letter, the quartet of former mayors said marijuana 
prohibition "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," the letter said. "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."

Lunney was unmoved, however.

"We disagree with the former mayors," he said. "They have one 
perspective, but a lot of Canadians have another perspective. People 
rent out their houses only to have a grow-op in there and the house 
is trashed. There are huge consequences to these crimes going on in 
our neighbourhoods. We are going to make it tougher for anyone 
dealing in drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom