Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jul 2012
Source: Chief, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Whistler Printing & Publishing
Website: http://www.squamishchief.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2414
Author: Rebecca Aldous

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION SPARKS DEBATE

District of Squamish council votes down letter of support on drug

The joint stops here.

The District of Squamish council voted down a motion to back a letter
calling for taxation and regulation of marijuana. Signed by several
B.C. politicians, including Vancouver's Mayor Gregor Robertson and the
City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, the document
criticizes a "seemingly endless stream of anti-marijuana law
enforcement initiatives," which it stated are ineffective and taxing
municipal budgets.

Coun. Bryan Raiser brought forward the motion to sign onto the letter.
He called it "embarrassing and disappointing" that people have to be
convinced prohibition doesn't work. Organized criminals are
capitalizing on the substance's illegal classification, Raiser said.

The letter, addressed to Premier Christy Clark, stated the Organized
Crime Agency of B.C. estimates that gangs control 85 per cent of the
province's marijuana trade, which the Fraser Institute speculates is
worth up to $7 billion annually.

It's not within the district's mandate to examine the country's drug
laws, Coun. Doug Race fired back. Without taking a stand on the issue
itself, Race noted the topic was not a municipal election topic and
falls under federal legislation.

"I am not sure whether our community has considered this," he said of
marijuana legalization.

Mayor Rob Kirkham reiterated Race's sentiments.

"Really it is a decision that has to be taken and debated and dealt
with at a federal level," he said.

Council's job is to represent it constituents, Raiser argued, adding
this issues affects Squamish residents. Even though Raiser said he
doubts the letter will spark change, it's the principal that must be
considered.

"It is up to people and representatives of people to stand up and say
[this] is ridiculous," he said.

This topic has been ongoing for 25 plus years, Coun. Ted Prior said.
Like Raiser, he motioned to support the letter, noting nothing will
change overnight.

"It is a process that is going to take a long time," he
said.

Once the smoke had cleared, the motion was defeated by Kirkham, Race
and Coun. Ron Sander. Councillors Patricia Heintzman and Susan
Chapelle were absent from council.
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MAP posted-by: Matt