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