Pubdate: Thu, 31 Oct 2013
Source: Chief, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Whistler Printing & Publishing
Contact: http://www.squamishchief.com/section/squamish0303&template=letter
Website: http://www.squamishchief.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2414
Author: David Burke
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca

YES, WE 'CANNABUS'

Writing headlines can be tricky at times. You want to convey as much 
as possible about a story in just a few words, drawing readers into 
the article while limiting the chances that the message will be misunderstood.

In penning last week's front-page Chief headline, "Locals back 
B.C.-wide pot referendum," this writer hopes most readers read far 
enough into the story to realize we weren't suggesting that "all" or 
even "most" locals support Sensible B.C.'s effort to put a a measure 
to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana up for 
a province-wide refer-endum (pun intended). After all, a reporter 
talking to those who are staffing a "CannaBus" and who show up to 
seek more information on signing the petition is going to find a 
disproportionately large percentage in favour of the measure. So as a 
"poll," our story could hardly be described as scientific - apologies 
to anyone who didn't recognize the story as a snapshot of a select 
group, not a random sample.

For the record, though, this writer supports the measure being 
proposed by Sensible B.C., which would amend the Police Act to 
instruct police not to spend time, money and resources on cases of 
simple possession of cannabis. Why? Because it sends the right 
message - that while marijuana use isn't the healthiest choice for 
many (especially young people) and should still be illegal for those 
who don't have clearance to use it for medicinal purposes, police 
officers' time is far better spent going after those who traffic in 
hard drugs and those responsible for violent crimes, property crimes 
and fraud, for example.

Legalizing the substance - i.e. treating it as something to be 
regulated and taxed, just as we do with alcohol and tobacco - 
shouldn't be ruled out as an option, as doing so would be treating 
marijuana as a health matter, not a legal one. But first things first.

It was interesting to see the comments on The Chief's website and 
Facebook page in response to last week's article. Those who labeled 
anyone who favours decriminalization (or legalization) as "potheads," 
of course, drew the most virulent response. However, you don't have 
to be a user (this writer has never used the stuff) to be in favour 
of a more mature - and, we believe, more sensible - public-policy 
approach to marijuana in B.C.

- - David Burke
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom