Pubdate: Thu, 18 Jul 2013
Source: Free Press, The (Fernie, CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.thefreepress.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/999
Author: Tamara Hynd

SENSIBLE BC DRUMS UP SUPPORT FOR MARIJUANA REFERENDUM

Elections BC has approved the Sensible Policing Act, a law which would
effectively decriminalize marijuana possession in the province, as
valid legislation and suitable for a referendum. Sensible BC visited
Fernie today, outside The Lunch Box, to spread the word of the up
coming campaign. Many locals came to show their support during their
lunch break.

"We are gathering signatures today to preregister our supporters so we
have a big head start," said Dana Larsen, Director of the Sensible BC
campaign, which drafted the legislation. Sensible BC currently has
30,000 supporters in their data base that they hope to call on for
registered canvassers.

"Elections BC's approval shows that the provinces do have the power to
effectively decriminalize marijuana," said Larsen. "BC politicians
can't say this is solely a federal issue anymore. Our province pays
for all the costs of marijuana enforcement, and now we've confirmed
that BC has the jurisdiction to take action and make change."

Sensible BC now has 60 days before the 90-day signature-gathering
period begins on September 9. If the campaign can collect signatures
from 10% of the registered voters in each electoral district, the
Sensible Policing Act will be put to a referendum in 2014.

"We can start registering canvassers next week," said Larsen. "We'll
need a few thousand volunteer registered canvassers to collect the
roughly 400,000 signatures required. Anyone who wants to help out and
become a canvasser should visit our website at sensiblebc.ca."

"There is still a stigma around this issue that makes people afraid
that they could lose their job or have negative repercussions by
supporting our campaign," said Larsen. "A lot of our supporters don't
use marijuana, as well as some of our top organizers. People don't
want to see their tax dollars wasted. Many people think marijuana
should be treated the same as alcohol, not criminalized. "

Daniel Dufresne has been canvassing in Hosmer. "Most people I've
spoken to support this but many are afraid to sign for fear they will
lose their jobs."

"Our polling shows over 70% support in BC for the provisions of the
Sensible Policing Act," said Larsen. "The question for us is, are
there enough British Columbians who feel passionately about this issue
for us to get the many canvassers and volunteers we need?"

The Sensible Policing Act does four things, all within provincial
jurisdiction:

1) Instructs all police in BC to spend no time or resources on
searches or arrests for marijuana possession.

2) Treats a minor in possession of marijuana as if it were
alcohol.

3) Formally calls upon the federal government to repeal marijuana
prohibition, or give BC an exemption to marijuana prohibition.

4) Creates a provincial commission to figure out the laws and rules
needed to legally regulate marijuana cultivation and sale.

Larsen is currently on tour through BC's Kootenay region, building
support and training canvassers for the campaign.

"We're working to build awareness and register people as canvassers so
they will be able to collect signatures," said Larsen.

The Sensible Policing Act has already been endorsed by organizations
such as Stop the Violence BC, Health Officers Council of BC, The BC
Civil Liberties Association, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, The
Vancouver Sun and The Province.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt