Pubdate: Mon, 09 Dec 2013
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Matt Kieltyka
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca/

SMOKE BUT NO FIRE FOR SENSIBLE B.C.

Failure: Effort to force weed decriminalization vote reached two-thirds 
of goal, organizer says

Sensible B.C. organizer Dana Larsen confirmed Sunday that the
Citizen's Initiative for a referendum on decriminalizing marijuana
possession has failed ahead of Election B.C.'s Monday deadline.

"We're not going to make it," said Larsen. "We've very proud of our
team of canvassers and what we accomplished. 200,000 signatures is
still a remarkable feat."

Larsen and his team needed to collect the signatures of 10 per cent of
registered voters in every single one of B.C.'s 85 electoral districts
in a 90-day period for the initiative to be a success.

Organizers had a sense the campaign was failing, but it became clear
Sunday that it was doomed as final counts were being tallied.

"We're not done counting yet and there are last-minute signatures
coming in, but it looks like we reached the threshold in about two
dozen ridings," said Larsen.

That's well shy of the 85 required, though Larsen claims the sheer
volume of signatures collected amount to two-thirds of their goal.

The Fraser Valley, Cariboo and northern regions proved to be the
biggest stumbling blocks.

But the fight isn't over yet, says the former Cannabis Culture editor
and candidate for both the Marijuana Party and federal NDP.

The group is looking into possible legal action against B.C. Ferries,
TransLink and City of Surrey for allegedly preventing canvassers from
collecting signatures.

Beyond that, Larsen hopes to take a second crack at forcing a
referendum through sometime next year.

"We're definitely not done yet," he said. "We hope to maintain the
momentum we built and keep our team together for a second try."
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MAP posted-by: Matt