Pubdate: Mon, 19 Nov 2012
Source: Peak, The (Simon Fraser U, Edu CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Peak Publications Society
Contact:  http://www.the-peak.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/775
Author: Alison Roach

AMERICAN MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION RAISES QUESTIONS FOR BC

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, both the states of Colorado and Washington passed
ballots legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, raising interest
from advocates about the possible impact of the decision here in
British Columbia. Some 55 per cent of voters in Washington approved
Initiative 502, legalizing the possession of up to one ounce of
marijuana by anyone over the age of 21. The question of legalization
of marijuana has been a longstanding dispute in our own province, and
this change in policy down south has strengthened the cry for similar
action here in Canada.

Prime minister Stephen Harper's reaction to the news was discouraging
for proponents of legalization; when asked for a comment by reporters
in Bangalore on the recent move towards decriminalization in
Washington and Colorado, Harper replied, "I won't speculate about what
it means south of the border. But the Government of Canada has no
intention of opening the issue here." BC premier Christy Clark has
also stated that she does not support legalization, and believes it to
be a federal matter.

One of the leaders of the decriminalization movement here in British
Columbia is Sensible BC, a campaign that calls for decriminalization
through the Sensible Policing Act, which would redirect all BC police
forces from using time, money, and resources in simple cannabis
possession cases. Sensible BC's slogan states "Decriminalize Cannabis;
For a Safer Province." Sensible BC leader Dana Larsen commends
Washington state's decision, and was quoted by CBC News as saying, "We
need to follow the example put forward by Washington state to end
prohibition, to legalize it."

The Peak spoke with the director of the SFU School of Criminology, Dr.
Robert Gordon, about his opinions on the referendums. He commented,
"It's a fairly significant step in many ways for North America, and .
. . it's kind of ironic that we've always said the reason that we
don't have liberal marijuana laws is because of the US, the fear of
the repercussions. Seems that we got that one wrong." Gordon was also
quick to assert that the change in Washington isn't legalization or
decriminalization per se, but a new regime of regulation and taxation.

Gordon also said he believes the referendum has put more pressure for
the same action here in BC, but it will be somewhat contingent on what
happens in Washington over the coming months. Gordon said, "People
will realize that the sky doesn't fall, we're not going to be
stumbling across the bodies of thousands of addicted marijuana users."

As for a possible immediate effect on BC, Gordon said he thinks that
we won't feel an economic effect, since marijuana is not a recognized
export, but there will be changes to the way illegal product moves. He
pointed to the possibilities of local growers picking up the holes
left in the Washington market and possibly moving to the state,
setting off a reverse-smuggling trend, as well as disruption to the
north-flowing products comprised mainly of cocaine and firearms that
are part of the trade.

Overall, Gordon said a similar action wouldn't be an enormous change
for our province. He affirmed that there wouldn't be much difference
to our population's habits of marijuana use, concluding, "If you're
doing it you're going to do it, and you're going to continue to do it;
it just won't be as exciting." To pass their referendum, Sensible BC
will have to gather signatures from at least 10 per cent of registered
voters in every one of BC's 85 ridings by September 2014. Sensible BC
plans to start collecting signatures in the fall of 2013.

Gordon noted, "The current polling would suggest that there's support
for a taxation and regulatory system, and as long as there can be
guarantees about keeping it out of the hands of kids, and as long as
there's some concrete indication that this is a good revenue source
for government, and you don't need as many police officers chasing
phantoms around the bush . . . then people will be inclined to vote
for it. I mean really, it is pretty ridiculous. It is. I mean, I use
caffeine and alcohol, but I look at this and think: this is daft."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt