Pubdate: Wed, 22 Nov 2017
Source: Richmond News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmond-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244
Author: Daisy Xiong

ANTI-POT GROUP SEEKS FEDERAL ATTENTION

Richmond residents petition Tory leader

The Richmond-based Marijuana Legalization Concern Group, led by Coun.
Chak Au, has taken its fight one step further by presenting an
opposition letter and petition to Andrew Scheer, leader of the
Conservative Party.

Two of the group members, Jonathan Ho, who is also a Richmond school
trustee, and Zenbia Chan, along with more than 10 supporters, handed
their opposition letter and petition - which had more than 9,000
signatures - to Scheer last Wednesday night in White Rock.

Scheer was attending an event for Conservative by-election candidate
and former Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

"In the letter we stated that we oppose marijuana legalization, and
that if the legalization has to happen, we ask the government to
control it strictly and postpone the July 2018 deadline until all
parties, including police boards, are ready to implement pot-related
laws," said Chan to the Richmond News.

"Why are we in a rush to legalize it if we won't be ready to enforce
the law by that time?" asked Chan.

The letter includes all the signatures from the petition and a list of
more than 20 requirements for the three tiers of government to meet
before legalization.

It is hundreds of pages in length, according to Chan.

"We've received over 9,000 signatures in only three weeks, which shows
a strong support from the community," said Chan.

"We presented it to the leader of the official opposition party to
show him the voice of the community and to support him when he opposes
it at the House of Commons."

The two had a brief meeting with Scheer after the event, who
immediately showed his support.

"He said, 'I'm definitely on your side. I have five kids, and I
understand where your stance comes from. I'm going to vote against
marijuana legalization,'" recalled Chan.

"We will try to contact every MP we can and keep collecting and
presenting signatures from the petition.

"If (marijuana legalization) is passed and moved to the Senate of
Canada, we will try to influence it from there."

Chan said the group submitted an electronic copy of the opposition
letter and petition result to Justin Trudeau through email on Monday,
and plans to hand a hard copy to Joe Peschisolido, Liberal MP for
Steveston-Richmond East, in person. They are also planning to present
it to the provincial government.
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MAP posted-by: Matt