Pubdate: Fri, 27 Apr 2012
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Kim Bolan
Cited: Stop the Violence BC: http://stoptheviolencebc.org/

B. C. MAYORS JOIN CAMPAIGN TO REGULATE MARIJUANA

Robertson Says Motion To Support Decriminalization Will Be On
Vancouver Council's Agenda Next Week

A coalition fighting for the legalization of marijuana has added the
voices of eight B. C. mayors to their campaign to regulate and tax
pot.

The Stop the Violence BC coalition released a letter Thursday from
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan and six
others from the Interior and Vancouver Island to Premier Christy
Clark, NDP leader Adrian Dix and Conservative leader John Cummins.

"Given the ongoing gang activity, widespread availability of marijuana
and high costs associated with enforcement, leaders at all levels of
government must take responsibility for marijuana policy," the letter
said. "We are asking you as provincial leaders to take a new approach
to marijuana regulation."

Several municipal councils in the province have passed motions
supporting the decriminalization of marijuana. Robertson said Thursday
that a motion to endorse the Stop the Violence BC campaign will be on
the agenda of Vancouver city council next week.

"This is not a partisan issue," Robertson said in a news release.
"Widespread access to marijuana for our youth, grow ops that provide
funds for organized crime, and significant costs to taxpayers for
enforcement are all compelling reasons to re-examine our failed
approach to prohibition."

Corrigan, the longtime Burnaby mayor, said the detrimental effects of
marijuana prohibition are visible across the Lower Mainland on a daily
basis. "Huge profits for organized crime and widespread gang violence
in our cities are the result of this failed policy. We put our
citizens and communities at risk by not taking action now," he said.

North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto also signed the letter, saying:
"We stand together as B. C. mayors because we think our communities
will be safer and our children better protected from criminal elements
if we overturn marijuana prohibition and implement policies that
strictly regulate the adult use of cannabis."

The others who signed the letter are Vernon Mayor Robert Sawatzky,
Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper, Metchosin Mayor John Ranns, Enderby
Mayor Howie Cyr and Lake Country Mayor James Baker.

The coalition has released polls in recent months showing a majority
of British Columbians support regulation and taxation over the current
marijuana laws.

The group also has garnered the public endorsement of four former
Vancouver mayors and four former B. C. attorneys-general for its position.

Coalition founder Dr. Evan Wood said there is growing support among
municipal politicians to overturn pot prohibition.

"We are seeing community leaders around the province take charge and
decisively call for action from senior levels of government to change
the status quo regarding marijuana policy," Wood said.

"It is time for our provincial and federal leaders to listen to what
the public is saying, engage in discussion, and come to a resolution
that better reflects the wishes of their constituents."
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