Pubdate: Thu, 17 Oct 2013
Source: Alberni Valley News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Alberni Valley News
Contact:  http://www.albernivalleynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4247
Author: Susan Quinn
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca

CANNABUS ROLLED IN PORT ALBERNI

Advocates for the decriminalization of marijuana in British Columbia 
are accelerating their petition signing bid in the Alberni Valley, 
and they are slowly working towards their goal of 3,500 signatures.

The petition is part of a provincewide campaign to force a referendum 
on the issue. And you'd be surprised at the volunteers who are taking 
up the cause in smaller communities such as Port Alberni.

"We're not your stereotypical long haired, tattooed potheads," says 
Alberni-Pacifc Rim organizer Kim Blake.

"The response we're getting in the community is 80 per cent positive."

Blake and a contingent of more than dozen people greeted Sensible BC 
leader Dana Larsen's 'cannabus'-sans Larsen-Tuesday evening in a 
parking lot at Pacific Rim Centre. The bus has been touring the 
Island to bring attention to the campaign to decriminalize marijuana.

Tyson VanIngen, 15, went up to Pacific Rim Centre to check out the 
Cannabus and the petition, even though he is too young to sign it.

"My mom brought me down here to show me a bit about this," he said. 
Both his parents support the petition.

"I think they're (Sensible BC) doing the right thing. I think Port 
Alberni could be a much better place if we try and fulfill what they're doing."

So far the local district has collected about 1,200 signatures, Blake 
said, but they need 3,500 from this riding to reach the minimums required.

Volunteers are set up every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in 
the parking lot across from Starbucks. On Tuesdays they are in the 
empty lot at Gertrude Street and Southgate, across from Roger Creek 
Park, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesdays they are at West Coast Hemp on Third Avenue from 12-2 p.m.

Canvassers go door-to-door with petitions on the remaining days of 
the week, and are identifiable by their Sensible BC buttons and 
paperwork. They are only asking for signatures, Blake said.

Volunteers will also be in Ucluelet on Tuesday, Oct. 22 all day at 
the Blackberry Cove Marketplace.

For more information, please phone Blake at 250-724-9700 or e-mail 
her at  More information on the petition can be 
found at sensibleBC.ca.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom