Pubdate: Fri, 01 Feb 2013
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: Ian Jacques, Editor

POT POWER TO THE PEOPLE

It's a topic that some want to sweep under the rug and forget, but the
time for a broader discussion on decriminalizing marijuana is now.

Last Friday, Dana Larsen, the former federal and provincial NDP
candidate, brought his Sensible BC tour to the Sunshine Coast. Larsen
has been travelling throughout the province since October in an effort
to gain support for a referendum that would change the Policing Act.

Larsen admits it's a daunting task, but one he is willing to fight
for. B.C. is the lone province in Canada with a referendum system,
according to Larsen, and the last time a referendum question was asked
was regarding the harmonized sales tax. We all know how that ended
up.

Larsen, through the Sensible BC campaign, is calling on the provincial
government to adopt a new Policing Act that would essentially direct
police to not arrest and charge people for simple possession of marijuana.

It's an idea that is already gaining support and traction with several
former and current provincial politicians.

Last November, former attorney general Geoff Plant spoke out in favour
of decriminalizing the use of marijuana. At the time, Plant cited an
Angus Reid report that revealed 75 per cent of B.C. residents felt the
government should legalize marijuana and then tax it.

In the November United States election, voters in Colorado and
Washington state voted in favour of legalizing marijuana. The vote in
Washington state will most certainly have an impact on this province
with our close proximity to the border. What those implications will
be are yet to be determined.

Vancouver - Fraserview MLA Kash Heed has also come out in favour of
changing the laws because he said the war on marijuana just isn't working.

It's time for lawmakers to open their minds to new approaches, he
said.

Even Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu has said that marijuana is not a
priority for Canadian police chiefs.

Larsen pointed out when he was here last week that more than 3,500
people in B.C. were charged with simple possession last year - almost
double the rate of any other province - at an estimated cost of $15 to
$20 million. Think about where that money could be spent elsewhere.
More money for education, health care, more affordable housing - the
list is endless. And if police chiefs like Chu are saying marijuana is
not a priority, then why are we spending the money to fight it?

Larsen points out that governments don't change pot laws - people do -
in referendums. It's time for the people to speak up and for B.C.
residents to decide whether this is a good or bad idea.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D