Pubdate: Thu, 17 Oct 2013
Source: Merritt Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Merritt Herald
Contact:  http://www.merrittherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1446
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n502/a04.html
Author: Dana Larsen

TIME FOR SENSIBLE MARIJUANA LAWS IN B.C.

Dear Editor,

Re: B.C. marijuana referendum misguided, Oct. 10, Merritt Herald

Mr. Fletcher's recent editorial misrepresented the Sensible BC
campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a
marijuana referendum.

The ultimate aim of Sensible BC is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry
regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the
Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal.

The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed
to be within provincial jurisdiction.

The first aspect is to redirect police resources away from being
wasted on simple possession of marijuana. Last year, B.C. police made
over 16,500 arrests for marijuana possession, draining $10.5 million
in police and court time away from investigation of more serious
criminal offences.

If Sensible BC is successful, then tens of thousands of hours of
police and court time would immediately be freed up to pursue real
criminals. This means safer communities for everyone, and less backlog
in our courts.

Second, our legislation treats a minor in possession of marijuana
exactly the same as if it were alcohol. The allows police to deal with
a teenager smoking pot, but without the lifetime criminal record that
can restrict travel and employment.

Third, the Sensible Policing Act calls upon the federal government to
repeal marijuana prohibition, so that B.C. can regulate and tax it in
a manner similar to wine and beer. This would send a powerful message
of change to Ottawa, and give our prime minister the mandate to legalize.

Finally, our legislation creates a B.C. commission to figure out the
rules needed to implement legalization. Like alcohol and tobacco, most
of the regulation for legal marijuana would be determined at the
provincial level.

British Columbia cannot fully legalize marijuana without a change to
federal law, but we can take some sensible steps in the right
direction. That is what Sensible BC is all about.

We're now about one month into our three month time-limit for
gathering signatures. This is the largest and most organized marijuana
reform effort in Canadian history. If you support sensible marijuana
laws, then join our growing team of over 3,000 canvassers, and help
collect signatures in your community.

Find out more at http://SensibleBC.ca

Dana Larsen

Vancouver