Pubdate: Fri, 27 Dec 2013
Source: South Delta Leader (Delta, CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 South Delta Leader
Contact:  http://www.southdeltaleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1241
Author: Adrian MacNair
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca

POT CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER FIGHTS AGAINST MARIJUANA STEREOTYPES

Although the Sensible BC campaign to decriminalize marijuana in the 
province has gone up in smoke, a local organizer says it was a 
learning experience.

Ralph Howey, who headed up the Delta South challenge to collect the 
signatures of 10 per cent of registered voters in the riding over a 
90-day period, says he wasn't aggressive enough in his strategy.

Although he and other volunteers collected signatures for the 
campaign outside of the South Delta Recreation Centre in Tsawwassen 
during the Southlands public hearings, they were barred from many 
properties owned by Century Group.

"I made the mistake of asking for permission instead of forgiveness," 
said Howey with a smile.

"The support was there but we fell down in the canvassing, both not 
being out there to sign and not having permanent sign up locations," he said.

The Sensible BC campaign managed to sign up 210,000 people across the 
province, succeeding in surpassing the 10 per cent threshold in 20 
ridings. Delta South, however, was one of 23 ridings which managed 
just over five per cent.

The campaign would have needed an estimated 400,000 signatures to 
have a shot at forcing the issue to a ballot referendum on 
decriminalization, similar to the one that was achieved by the Fight 
HST campaign in reinstating the provincial sales tax.

Howey said another difficulty they faced was finding volunteers and 
the unreliability of free labour.

"They all fell off because of health issues or parents or what have 
you," he said.

Howey, who smokes marijuana for pleasure, said many people are 
fighting against the negative stereotypes that have been built up 
around the psychoactive drug and those who smoke it.

Howey said one fellow canvasser was furious at media reports 
portraying Sensible BC supporters as shifty people with unkempt 
beards smoking stubby marijuana joints.

"Meanwhile, they show people drinking alcohol in crystal glasses and 
fancy clothes," he said.

Now that the campaign is over, organizers like Howey are looking to 
use the learning experience to make another attempt at 
decriminalization in the future.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom