Pubdate: Fri, 12 Feb 2016
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Matt Kieltyka
Page: 3
Referenced: E-petition: 
https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-18

END POT POSSESSION ARRESTS: PETITIONERS

A British Columbia marijuana advocate expressed hopes an official 
petition to Parliament can get the Liberal government to end arrests 
for marijuana possession.

The e-petition was posted to the Parliament of Canada website on 
Thursday and had nearly 2,000 signatures by Metro deadline.

Among the demands, the petition calls for the government of Canada to 
immediately "repeal the prohibition on possession," end police raids 
on medical cannabis dispensaries and asks for marijuana to be removed 
from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act within a year.

Dana Larsen, director of Sensible BC, says although Prime Minister 
Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise of legalization, the status quo remains.

"As far as I can see, arrests are continuing," said Larsen. "I don't 
think there is any reason to pause (on legalization). An arrest can 
be extremely destructive to a person's life. Even if you're not 
charged it's possible to be turned away at a border."

Larsen hopes the petition, open until June 9, can garner 100,000 
signatures to send a strong message to Ottawa.

The petition was an initiative by Victoria advocate Sam Vekemans and 
sponsored by Green Party leader Elizabeth May (official petitions to 
the Government of Canada require sponsorship from a member of 
parliament, and does not necessarily indicate support).
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom