Pubdate: Tue, 17 Dec 2013
Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.mrtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372
Author: Craig Speirs
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca/

MARIJUANA FIGHT NOT OVER YET

Dear Editor,

After 90 days, the results are in. The SensibleBC campaign for
cannabis reform collected over 200,000 signatures, two-thirds of the
way to our goal of 10 per cent of voters.

Locally, we got almost eight per cent in the Maple Ridge-Mission
riding and sev en per cent in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows.

In comparison, the successful petitions in Washington and Colorado got
3.6 per cent over 180 days, without the need to go riding by riding.

Nevertheless, anytime that many people sign a petition calling for
change to our drug policy, politicians had better pay attention.

[Prime Minister Stephen] Harper and his Cons are lost to reason; they
just want to throw more people in jail for doing something that
shouldn't be a crime.

Premier Christy Clark, on the other hand, could really help B.C.'s
bottom line by making some common sense changes to how our police do
their business.

All we need is some real leadership. There are a lot of jobs and
economic activity at stake.

Locally, we had more than 75 canvassers collecting 5,400 signatures
over the past three months. They knocked on doors, attended events,
approached friends, family, and co-workers, and of course, stood at
our table, taking questions and signatures.

We are proud of every one of them for stepping forward, and most have
committed to the next fight, whenever that is.

We have a solid foundation to build upon, and next time we just have
to bring friends.

Funny thing is, most were new to any political process and will be a
force in the future. We will certainly be encouraging them to stay
involved.

Along the way, we met lots of people who were very grateful that we
were fighting this fight for them, but we also met some very fearful
and angry people. We were accused of being a bunch of drug addicts,
pot heads, and criminals who just want to get their children hooked on
drugs.

Of course, the reality was, we are parents, grandparents, and honest,
law-abiding citizens who want to control, regulate, and educate about
cannabis, so we can keep it away from those same children. Instead of
lying to our children about cannabis, we should educate them so they
will make responsible choices.

Our fight was for adults being able to make decisions without
unfocused prejudice or unjust laws interfering.

Prejudice produces a stigma that is based on fear and ignorance. The
most common fear that made the difference locally was from those who
wanted to sign, but felt they couldn't because their boss or the
government would find out and use it against them.

Prejudice doesn't trump the incredible medicinal uses of cannabis or
the lack of negative effects recreational use has on the individual or
society.

Sadly the stigma that is produced through pot-prejudice has kept many
people from accessing the medicinal uses. That is the real crime.

To quote Plato, "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the
dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."

Lastly, thanks to those 5,400 people who threw aside the veils of fear
and ignorance, and by signing, embraced hope and knowledge, and
stepped into the light.

Craig Speirs, Maple Ridge
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MAP posted-by: Matt