Pubdate: Fri, 06 Feb 2015
Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.richmondreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704

A RELAXED ATTITUDE ON POT

The attitude towards marijuana in this province is in sharp contrast 
with the approach in other parts of Canada.

Proof of that comes in details from a court document, filed as part 
of an application to seize a property near the Aldergrove border 
crossing which was the subject of a massive search last week.

Although the large property just drew public attention last week, the 
documents suggest it has been used for marijuana production since 
1993. That's a 22-year period.

It is important to keep in mind that, in 1993, growing and selling 
marijuana for any purposes was illegal in Canada. While there were 
advocates for medicinal marijuana, which has since been allowed, 
growing, selling and using the product could lead to criminal charges.

Yet as the documents suggest, there was plenty of marijuana being 
grown in Langley (and other parts of B.C.) at that time. Some was for 
local consumption, and some was truly for medicinal purposes. 
However, the vast majority was grown for shipment to the U.S. and 
other countries, often in return for other drugs or guns.

B.C. residents have had a more laissez-faire attitude towards 
marijuana since the late 1960s, and a willingness to put up with 
marijuana growing, if not actively partaking in what has been a big 
business, has been strong for many years.

Could any other province have been so receptive to marijuana activist 
Marc Emery who, after serving several years in a U.S. jail, is 
encouraging American marijuana users to come here and buy their 
supply - even though it remains illegal to sell it, except for 
medicinal purposes?

It seems likely that, if the legalization of marijuana in Washington 
and Colorado turns out to be successful, marijuana will be legalized 
throughout North America some day.

If that does happen, B.C. marijuana activists, and the laissez-faire 
attitude that so many B.C. residents have, will have played a major role.

- - Black Press
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom