Pubdate: Wed, 06 Apr 2016
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Page: A3

Drug Policy

POT-SEED GIVEAWAY TOUR KICKS OFF IN KELOWNA

Pro-marijuana advocate plans to travel country like Johnny Appleseed,
except he's pressing for legalization of pot

Pro-pot advocate Dana Larsen headed into the first stop on his
so-called Free Marijuana Tour expecting no trouble from Kelowna RCMP
on Tuesday night.

Larsen intends to travel the country, giving away one million cannabis
seeds as a way of putting pressure on the Trudeau government to
legalize marijuana.

"I expect the Kelowna police are probably going to ignore me," Larsen
said late Tuesday afternoon as he drove between Vancouver and Kelowna.
"All that would do is draw more attention to my tour."

Kelowna RCMP spokesman Const. Jesse O'Donaghey declined comment on
what action, if any, police would take in relation to Larsen's planned
giveaway of pot seeds. He referred the matter to RCMP public affairs
headquarters in Ottawa, who could not be reached for comment.

Larsen said he chose Kelowna as the starting point for a 14-city tour
that will conclude in Halifax because the Okanagan is home to many
supporters of Sensible BC, an organization promoting the legalization
of marijuana.

Larsen is giving away the pot seeds to people on condition they plant
them in the windowsills of their home, or any other place where they
can be seen by the public.

"It's an act of civil disobedience, the same kind of act that has
helped to change marijuana laws over the years in this country,"
Larsen said.

Although police don't enforce them, there are still laws on the books
against such things as selling books that explain how to grow
marijuana, or tout its health benefits, Larsen said. Police also do
not typically charge people with simple marijuana possession, but
cultivation and selling the drug can still attract charges.

Meanwhile, cities such as Vancouver are all but legalizing pot use by
licensing storefront dispensaries that cater to a broad range of
customers, Larsen said.

"Marijuana is already undergoing a de-facto legalization, municipality
by municipality," Larsen said. "I would hope the Trudeau government at
the very least officially decriminalizes marijuana sooner rather than
later."

His million-seed giveaway, Larsen said, is an attempt to "force the
hand" of the Liberal government, which has promised to legalize marijuana.

He plans to conclude his tour in Vancouver on April 20, traditionally
a big party day for people who like to smoke pot.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt