Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Source: Revelstoke Times Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Black Press
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/GUUzNSgH
Website: http://drugsense.org/url/ujMTHNZu
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2139
Author: Aaron Orlando

MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION CAMPAIGN VISITS REVELSTOKE

Editor's note: This story appeared in our July 17, 2013 print issue 
in conjunction with the main story about a B.C. cannabis 
decriminalization referendum initiative. Please see that story first 
for details about the initiative.

Dana Larsen sported an untucked, wrinkly dress-casual shirt, khakis 
and leather sandals for our meeting at the Revelstoke Sandman Inn on 
Sunday. He looked a little worn from the campaigning, which included 
searching for local referendum supporters at the River City Pub the 
night before.

Like a whistlestopping politician, he said their quick tour of the 
region was designed to motivate the base, not necessarily win converts.

Larsen pointed to polling numbers, saying decriminalization is inevitable.

Why the decriminalization campaign, instead of a legalization one?

Larsen studied successful U.S. referendum campaigns and found it was 
the only practical means to the end.

He said the campaign was anticipating their end game, the 2015 
federal election. The issue is a non-starter with federal 
Conservatives, but Larsen feels the potential is there in the event 
of a Liberal, NDP or left-coalition win.

Larsen, who makes a living running medical marijuana dispensaries, 
said even conservative voters were polling in favour of legalization.

He predicted winning the referendum would be a cinch; the hard part 
is getting enough support to meet the threshold to hold a referendum.

Larsen said prohibition only hurts everyday B.C.ers. "The police and 
the Hells Angels both like marijuana prohibition, because they both 
profit off it," he said. "It's a great make-work project for the 
police - it gives them all kinds of extra powers and funding. 
Certainly the Hells Angels and other illegal groups that grow 
marijuana also like the status quo as well, but regular British 
Columbians are the ones that get hurt, and that's why it's time to change."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom