An organization dedicated to the decriminalization of marijuana will be seeking volunteer canvassers at an event in Port Coquitlam next week as it prepares for a marijuana referendum campaign this fall. Sensible BC needs 50 to 60 volunteers in each of B.C.'s 85 constituencies to collect signatures this fall in order to pressure the provincial government to hold a referendum on the Sensible Policing Act. The legislation, written by supporters of Sensible BC, would essentially stop police from searching or arresting people for possession of marijuana and would call on Ottawa to repeal marijuana prohibition. [continues 232 words]
Just how "sensible" are voters in British Columbia? We should find out this autumn. The SensibleBC group wants your signature and if they can gather 400,000 names, it'll be the first step to decriminalizing the possession of cannabis in this province through the Sensible Policing Act. Of course that would mean all the pot users would have to get out of their mother's basement, put down the Cheezies and stop watching the Wizard of Oz and listening to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at the same time. [continues 381 words]
Elections BC has approved the Sensible Policing Act, a law which would effectively decriminalize marijuana possession in the province, as valid legislation and suitable for a referendum. Sensible BC visited Fernie today, outside The Lunch Box, to spread the word of the up coming campaign. Many locals came to show their support during their lunch break. "We are gathering signatures today to preregister our supporters so we have a big head start," said Dana Larsen, Director of the Sensible BC campaign, which drafted the legislation. Sensible BC currently has 30,000 supporters in their data base that they hope to call on for registered canvassers. [continues 446 words]
Elections BC has given approval in principle to marijuana activist Dana Larsen's bid to lead a petition drive for de-criminalizing marijuana possession. Larsen has proposed that B.C. go around the federal law with a "Sensible Policing Act" that would disallow the use of B.C. police resources to prosecute simple possession of small amounts of pot. As of Sept. 9, Larsen will be allowed to begin collecting signatures referendum similar to that used to reverse the harmonized sales tax. [continues 256 words]
VICTORIA - Elections BC has given approval in principle to marijuana activist Dana Larsen's bid to lead a petition drive for de-criminalizing marijuana possession. Larsen has proposed that B.C. go around the federal law with a "Sensible Policing Act" that would disallow the use of B.C. police resources to prosecute simple possession of small amounts of pot. As of Sept. 9, Larsen will be allowed to begin collecting signatures referendum similar to that used to reverse the harmonized sales tax. [continues 257 words]
Sensible B.C. director Dana Larsen was in Vernon Monday to promote the marijuana referendum campaign. Elections B.C. has given approval in principle for a petition drive for a proposed law which would effectively decriminalize marijuana possession in the province. "We've already started registering canvassers," said Larsen. "We'll need a few thousand volunteer canvassers to collect the roughly 400,000 signatures required." Sensible B.C. now has 60 days before the 90-day signature-gathering period begins Sept. 9. If the campaign can collect signatures from 10 per cent of the registered voters in each electoral district, the Sensible Policing Act will be put to a referendum in 2014. [continues 58 words]
Decriminalizing marijuana is the equivalent of opening the barn door wider after the horses all ran away to let out the last horse that decided to stay behind. As anyone in law enforcement will admit when they're out of uniform, the Canadian public made its decision about marijuana use decades ago and the law hasn't caught up yet. Many adults simply ignore the law and indulge in a puff or two at their personal discretion. More importantly, these adults and even the ones who don't smoke up from time to time don't see this activity as breaking the law. [continues 561 words]
Marijuana activist Dana Larsen is edging closer to an initiative petition to decriminalize simple possession of cannabis in B.C. Larsen toured through the southern Interior over the weekend and held a meeting of supporters at a downtown restaurant Sunday night. A former B.C. NDP leadership candidate, he is laying the groundwork for a petition drive after Elections B.C. gave its official stamp of approval to his petition last week. As director of Sensible B.C., Larsen proposes the Sensible Policing Act, which would effectively decriminalize marijuana possession through a shift in enforcement policy. [continues 366 words]
The push for the decriminalization of pot is gathering steam with the group leading the charge getting the go-ahead for a referendum-triggering petition. Beginning in September, volunteers will be collecting signatures in support of amending the province's Police Act. The initiative, approved by the chief electoral officer, is spearheaded by Sensible B.C., led by Vancouver-based marijuana legalization advocate Dana Larsen. Under the province's Recall and Initiative Act, registered voters are allowed to propose new laws or changes to existing laws. [continues 646 words]
Challenge: Dana Larsen has gotten approval for a petition to decriminalize marijuana in B.C. A B.C. marijuana activist has been given the green light to petition for the decriminalization of the illegal drug. Elections B.C. said Thursday it will issue Dana Larsen a petition for an amendment to the B.C. Police Act, which would prohibit police officers from making arrests for pot possession. The amendment would not affect laws around trafficking. If Larsen's petition receives enough signatures, the amendment, called the Sensible Policing Act, could go to a province-wide referendum in September 2014. [continues 282 words]
A marijuana advocacy group hopes to sign up 400,000 British Columbians as part of an initiative to change the provincial Police Act to discourage cops from pursuing minor possession offences A petition to decriminalize marijuana by making it a "burden" for police officers to catch pot smokers needs the signatures of 400,000 British Columbians to be introduced as provincial legislation. Dana Larsen, director of SensibleBC, has been approved by the province's chief electoral officer for the initiative to change B.C.'s Police Act to discourage officers from pursuing minor marijuana possession offences. [continues 270 words]
The clock starts ticking in September. If 10 per cent of B.C. voters sign a petition requesting a referendum on the decriminalization of marijuana, then a vote on the referendum will take place next year. It's no small task. There is only a 90-day window to collect more than 400,000 signatures and an army of volunteers will be needed. With hard work and careful planning, Dana Larsen is confident it can be done. Larsen is leading the initiative, called Sensible B.C. If the referendum is passed, then according to the Referendum Act, the government must introduce legislation at the next sitting. [continues 439 words]
There's a lot to be said for the munchies, especially if you're a hotdog cart lady pushing a pro-marijuana petition. And now a lot can be said about Cindy Heemeryck, one of the most successful Sensible BC campaign organizers in the province. By night, Heemeryck mans her hotdog stand outside Flashbacks nightclub on Ellis Street; by day, she is dedicating her summer to helping change the way marijuana use is dealt with in this province. She is also already among the most successful, if not the most successful, campaign organizers on the Sensible BC team with 3,000 email addresses on her list and 50 people physically working by her side. [continues 857 words]
Billboard firm overturns initial rejection of Sensible BC's decriminalization campaign A group trying to de-criminalize marijuana use in B.C. has been given the green light to grow some grassroots support on outdoor signage along the Canada Line. Sensible BC's director Dana Larsen told the Richmond News his organization's initial efforts last month to get their billboards at Canada Line stations was turned down by Pattison Outdoor which handles advertising along the line and at bus shelters. [continues 544 words]
The Sensible BC campaign for marijuana reform launched an ad campaign in West Vancouver for a province-wide cannabis referendum A quarter-million commuters crossing the North Shore this week will have likely noticed the new greenery along Marine Drive near the Lions Gate Bridge. It's not in the bushes or trees but rather, um, higher. The new ad campaign for marijuana legal reform was launched Monday by the folks at Sensible BC. Their electronic billboard ad lighting up the border between North and West Vancouver features a giant cannabis leaf on a blue background and the words "Join the Sensible BC Marijuana Referendum campaign." [continues 666 words]
Here's something you won't see happen on Saturday: Christy Clark or Adrian Dix's campaign buses rolling up to the north lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery to the cheers of thousands of marijuana activists. Neither Mr. Dix nor Ms. Clark will push their way through the happy crowds and skunk-scented smoke, glad-handing potential voters. It is even less likely that either will make their way to the stage brandishing a freshly rolled spliff, spark it up and declare 4/20 officially "on." [continues 724 words]
Wife of Imprisoned Activist Marc Emery, Decries Human Cost of War on Drugs The war on drugs has become too expensive, the wife of imprisoned marijuana activist Marc Emery told a Langley meeting on a proposed new law to limit pot possession arrests. Jodie Emery was speaking at a Wednesday, March 20 meeting at the Township municipal hall arranged by Sensible BC, a group that is planning a public referendum on a law that would direct police to ease up in cases of possessing marijuana for personal use. [continues 691 words]
They say it's high time for B.C.'s marijuana laws to be reformed, and come Friday, members of the pro-pot group Sensible B.C. will be in Coquitlam to lay out their strategy to do just that. Members will be joined by current and former politicians and other marijuana reform advocates for a roundtable discussion at the Centennial Pavilion at 620 Poirier St., from 7 to 9 p.m. Panellists will include former federal prosecutor Randie Long; former Grand Forks Coun. Joy Davies; Mark Elyas, president of the Vancouver East federal Liberal riding association; and Colorado-based marijuana reform advocate Mason Tvert. [continues 308 words]
The plume has lifted and the reflection is clear: marijuana enforcement is costing British Columbia more than any other province in the country - to the tune of about 10.5 million taxpayer dollars each year. Criminology Professor Neil Boyd released a study this week that analyzes the costs and outcomes of enforcement against marijuana possession in B.C. The study, titled "The Enforcement Of Marijuana Possession Offences in British Columbia: A Blueprint for Change," was funded by the Sensible BC campaign and showed that our province spends much more per capita to police and charge marijuana users than any other province. [continues 495 words]
A Simon Fraser University study has confirmed what's fast becoming obvious to taxpayers across North America: The war on pot is a losing proposition. Or at least it's prohibitively expensive and ethically questionable. The study, by SFU criminology Prof. Neil Boyd, shows B.C. taxpayers shell out around $10.5 million a year for criminal convictions for simple pot possession - or a whopping $8,750 per conviction. Yes, despite claims that B.C. cops turn a blind eye to pot smoking, charges for marijuana possession have more than doubled in six years. [continues 208 words]
Sensible B.C. says too much of taxpayers' cash is spent on chasing cannabis users It costs B.C. taxpayers about $8,750 per pot conviction, the overwhelming amount of which is for simple possession, according to a new study. And only about seven per cent of all police reports of marijuana possession wind up in convictions. About a quarter of all police reports of marijuana possession in B.C. in 2011 led to charges, according to a study by Simon Fraser University criminology professor Neil Boyd. And about a third of those ended in convictions. [continues 303 words]
Larsen has dedicated his life's work to cannabis law reform. On Jan. 23, Dana Larsen spent his afternoon in UVic's Student Union Building speaking about pot to an audience that no doubt consisted of a few more empty chairs than he would have liked to see. This has become a typical day for Larsen in his capacity as the face of Sensible B.C., a campaign to reform B.C.'s cannabis laws through a provincial referendum. Larsen, 41, has travelled across B.C., speaking at events both large and small as he promotes his campaign. [continues 726 words]
Municipalities Could Benefit From Increase In Tax Revenue It's an idea whose time has come, according to a cannabis activist who says a strong majority of British Columbians now support the decriminalization of the drug. Former provincial New Democratic Party leadership candidate Dana Larsen spoke to a group of about 35 people in the Poplar Room at Powell River Recreation Complex on Thursday, January 24. Larsen, a founding member of both the national and provincial marijuana parties, has been touring around the province since October 2012 in support of his Sensible BC campaign. [continues 429 words]
Former NDP leadership candidate and pot advocate Dana Larsen will speak in Metchosin on Jan. 16 and the University of Victoria on Jan. 23 about an approach to cannabis decriminalization. Larsen, a founding member of both national and provincial marijuana political parties, is touring coastal B.C. in support of his Sensible B.C. campaign. The campaign promotes the passing of a Sensible Policing Act, which would direct all police in B.C. "to stop spending any time or resources on searching, seizing or arresting anyone for simple cannabis possession," Larsen said in a release. [continues 106 words]
Advocate Campaigns For Marijuana Decriminalization Former NDP leadership candidate and pot advocate Dana Larsen will speak in Metchosin on Wednesday about an approach to cannabis decriminalization. Larsen, a founding member of both national and provincial marijuana political parities, is touring coastal B.C. in support of his Sensible B.C. campaign. The campaign promotes the passing of a Sensible Policing Act, which would direct all police in B.C. "to stop spending any time or resources on searching, seizing or arresting anyone for simple cannabis possession," explained Larsen, in a news release. [continues 181 words]
Dana Larsen is coming to Campbell River to promote the Sensible BC decriminalization campaign. Larsen, former candidate for the leadership of the BC NDP, is promoting the Sensible Policing Act, which would effectively decriminalize cannabis possession in the province. Larsen will be speaking in Campbell River on Monday, Jan. 21, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the downtown Community Centre. "The Sensible Policing Act directs all police in BC to stop spending any time or resources on searching, seizing or arresting anyone for simple cannabis possession," said Larsen, who works as director of the Vancouver Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary. "The lawyers at Elections BC have confirmed that this legislation is within provincial jurisdiction and suitable for a referendum." [continues 220 words]
Dana Larsen is touring Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast to promote the Sensible BC decriminalization campaign. Dana Larsen, former candidate for the leadership of the BC NDP, is coming to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast to promote the Sensible Policing Act, which would effectively decriminalize cannabis possession in the province. Larsen will be speaking to supporters in Quadra Island on January 17, from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm, at the Quadra Island Community Centre (970 West Road, Quadra Island), and the next day, January 18, on Cortes Island from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm at Manson's Community Hall (983 Beasley, Cortes Island). [continues 388 words]
Meet Bill VanderGraaf. The 61-year-old former Winnipeg police detective is the local poster boy for the movement against drug prohibition, specifically marijuana. Recent Canadian polls and the fact two U.S. states approved the recreational use of marijuana would suggest it's a growing movement. During his 29 years on the police force, VanderGraaf was a stereotypical cop: gruff, stoic, dedicated. His uncle was city police officer Peter VanderGraaf, who with his partner Jack Taylor defined policing in Winnipeg in the 1960s and '70s. Another uncle was also a cop and two other family members were Mounties. [continues 1402 words]
Sensible Policing Act Means BC Would Stop Enforcing Federal Possession Laws If his Sensible BC campaign can secure enough signatures next year, Dana Larsen, co-founder of the BC Marijuana Party and former BC NDP leader candidate, hopes that in September 2014 there will be a referendum on decriminalizing marijuana possession in the province. "The success of the anti-HST campaign shows that it can be done," Larsen told a small group in Parksville last week. His Sensible Policing Act would effectively decriminalize marijuana possession in BC. [continues 401 words]
As he tours Vancouver Island, Dana Larsen is promoting the Sensible Policing Act in an effort to decriminalize cannabis possession in B.C. Larsen - director of the Vancouver Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary who sought the provincial NDP leadership last year - spoke to supporters Saturday at the Filberg Centre in Courtenay. He is leading a Sensible BC campaign in hopes of securing a referendum on the act. Volunteers will collect signatures next year from September to November. If 10 per cent of registered voters in every riding in B.C. sign the petition, a referendum would occur in September 2014. [continues 198 words]
Call off B.C.'s police from busting folks with pot for personal use, then lobby Ottawa to legalize and tax marijuana. That's basically the three-year, two-step plan being pitched by decriminalization advocate Dana Larsen who's visiting the Cowichan Library Monday at 6 p.m., then Mill Bay's Kerry Park Recreation Centre Tuesday at 7 p.m. Pivotal to Larsen's push - called Sensible BC - is the province's Sensible Policing Act. It could order all B.C. cops to stop spending time or resources searching, seizing or arresting anyone for simple cannabis possession, explained the director of Vancouver's Medical Cannabis Dispensary. [continues 286 words]
Dana Larsen, who last year ran for the leadership of the BC NDP, is touring Vancouver Island over the next two weeks to promote the Sensible Policing Act, which would effectively decriminalize cannabis possession in the province. Larsen will be speaking to supporters in Courtenay on Saturday December 8 at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Avenue from 7:00-8:30pm. "The Sensible Policing Act directs all police in BC to stop spending any time or resources on searching, seizing or arresting anyone for simple cannabis possession," explained Larsen, who works as Director of the Vancouver Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary. "The lawyers at Elections BC have confirmed that this legislation is within provincial jurisdiction and suitable for a referendum." [continues 369 words]
Marijuana reform advocates hope Washington and Colorado states' vote Tuesday to legalize and tax marijuana sales will add momentum to their push for change in B.C. Washington state estimates it would collect $560 million in the first year from a planned 25-per-cent tax on the sale of licensed, regulated marijuana through authorized stores. If enacted, this could also cause a partial collapse of B.C.'s estimated $7-billion-a-year illegal pot industry, as growers relocate to the U.S. to avoid the need to smuggle. [continues 216 words]
"We're leaving a nightmare," said Dana Larsen of his hope for the decriminalization of cannabis. No stranger to the world of cannabis advocacy, Larsen has focused his most recent efforts on decriminalization with his Sensible B.C. campaign. Larsen is touring B.C. to promote the campaign, stopping in Kamloops on Nov. 20. Sensible B.C. has proposed what it calls the Sensible Policing Act, which would prevent the use of police resources to enforce cannabis possession laws. If the act is approved by a proposed referendum and becomes law, it would effectively decriminalize the substance. But regulation of cannabis falls under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, meaning provincial governments do not have the power to outright decriminalize cannabis. [continues 708 words]
Dana Larsen's petition to de-criminalize simple marijuana possession went up in smoke on Wednesday. But the pro-marijuana advocate is on a roll as he blew through the Okanagan Valley this week. The former leader of the Marijuana Party successfully tested the waters when his token petition to amend the Police Act was accepted by Elections B.C. on Monday. On Wednesday, however, it was withdrawn by Larsen. "The proponent had indicated to us that he was not interested in canvassing for signatures at this time, and that his intention in applying for the petition was to test his application and draft bill," said chief electoral officer Keith Archer. [continues 375 words]
In the late 1990s I was doing open-line radio and Bill "I-never-inhaled" Clinton was president of the United States. One morning I got a call and was asked if I'd ever smoked dope. In a fit of bravado and unbridled candour I said, "My dear for many years I was a musician, I've smoked everything I could light and inhaled all the way down to my toenails." The newsroom archived that comment and years later played the clip for my on-air retirement party. For the record - not that I'm counting - I had my last smoke of anything at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 1988. [continues 682 words]
Marijuana reform advocates hope Washington and Colorado states' recent vote to legalize and tax marijuana sales will add momentum to their push for change in B.C. Washington state estimates it would collect $560 million in the first year from a 25-per-cent tax on the sale of regulated marijuana through authorized stores. If enacted, this could also cause a partial collapse of B.C.'s estimated $7-billion-a-year illegal pot industry, as growers relocate to the U.S. to avoid the need to smuggle. [continues 202 words]
Liberal MLA Doug Horne will be in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, today representing B.C. at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region conference. It's a regular meeting of western provinces and states where officials talk about common concerns. Marijuana is not on the agenda, Horne said, and he has no plans to bring it up. But you can bet some hallway chatter will be about the ground breaking Washington state initiative vote last week that effectively legalizes the recreational use of up to one ounce of pot by adults. [continues 657 words]
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, both the states of Colorado and Washington passed ballots legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, raising interest from advocates about the possible impact of the decision here in British Columbia. Some 55 per cent of voters in Washington approved Initiative 502, legalizing the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by anyone over the age of 21. The question of legalization of marijuana has been a longstanding dispute in our own province, and this change in policy down south has strengthened the cry for similar action here in Canada. [continues 627 words]
Liberal MLA Doug Horne was Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Thursday representing B.C. at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region conference. It's a regular meeting of western provinces and states where officials talk about common concerns. Marijuana is not on the agenda, Horne said, and he has no plans to bring it up. But you can bet some hallway chatter will be about the groundbreaking Washington state initiative vote last week that effectively legalizes the recreational use of up to one ounce of pot by adults. [continues 517 words]
Liberal MLA Doug Horne was in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, this week representing B.C. at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region conference. It's a regular meeting of western provinces and states, where officials talk about common concerns. Marijuana was not on the agenda, Horne said, and he had no plans to bring it up. But you can bet there was hallway chatter about the groundbreaking Washington state vote last week that effectively legalizes the possession of up to one ounce of pot by adults. [continues 657 words]
A group crusading for the decriminalization of marijuana stopped in the Peace Region to raise awareness of the cause. Dana Larsen, director of Sensible B.C., spoke to supporters about the campaign he is running to have the province adopt the Sensible Policing Act. This legislation would stop police from arresting people for possession of marijuana. "We want to legalize all aspects of the cannabis industry and bring it forward into a regulated system," explained Larsen. Larsen believes that it's important that he visits all the regions in British Columbia, including the Peace Region. [continues 848 words]
Dana Larsen brings his decriminalize-pot message to the Okanagan next week. Larsen, a former leader of the Marijuana Party, is touring Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon to promote new legislation that would decriminalize pot possession in the province. Recent votes to legalize cannabis in the U.S. have boosted his campaign. "Reporters from around B.C. and across Canada have been calling to find out how we plan to do it in B.C. after what activists accomplished in Washington and Colorado," he said in a statement. [continues 238 words]
Dana Larsen wants cops to stop worrying about recreational pot smokers. Larsen stopped in Prince Rupert last week to promote the sensible Policing Act which aims to decriminalize possession of marijuana in British Columbia. "The Sensible Policing Act will amend the Police Act... by instructing police in British Columbia to spend no time or resources on searching, seizing, detaining or arresting anyone for simple possession of cannabis essentially decriminalizing it," Larsen said at Wednesday's gathering at the Prince Rupert Library. [continues 269 words]
The Harper Conservatives have newly nixed the idea of reforming Canada's pot laws but that's not stopping activists in B. C. from mobilizing for decriminalization. The issue is back in the news following Nov. 6 votes in Colorado and Washington to relax marijuana legislation. Like Canada's government, the Obama administration, remains opposed, making a showdown between state voters and Washington, D. C., almost inevitable. The same sort of showdown, between B. C. and Ottawa, doubtless would ensue should a proposed 2014 referendum to decriminalize pot be endorsed by B. C.' s voters. [continues 546 words]
A group crusading for the decriminalization of marijuana stopped in the Peace Region to raise awareness of the cause. Dana Larsen, director of Sensible B.C., spoke to supporters about the campaign he is running to have the province adopt the Sensible Policing Act. This legislation would stop police from arresting people for possession of marijuana. "We want to legalize all aspects of the cannabis industry and bring it forward into a regulated system," explained Larsen. Larsen believes that it's important that he visits all the regions in British Columbia, including the Peace Region. [continues 849 words]
Liberal MLA Doug Horne will be in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, today representing B.C. at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region conference. It's a regular meeting of western provinces and states where officials talk about common concerns. Marijuana is not on the agenda, Horne said, and he has no plans to bring it up. But you can bet some hallway chatter will be about the groundbreaking Washington state initiative vote last week that effectively legalizes the recreational use of up to one ounce of pot by adults. [continues 659 words]
At this point, no one needs to be told that the war on marijuana has been a dismal failure. Or almost no one. After all, there is abundant evidence from around the world, and from right here in British Columbia, that marijuana prohibition has failed to achieve any of its stated objectives. Indeed, as governments spent trillions - yes, trillions - of dollars prosecuting the war on drugs, marijuana use rates increased, with the potency of the drug increasing and its price decreasing. [continues 627 words]
We say: Let's follow the lead of our neighbours to the south Marijuana reform advocates hope Washington and Colorado states' vote Tuesday to legalize and tax marijuana sales will add momentum to their push for change in B.C. While it's not yet clear if the U.S. federal government will allow state-by-state legalization of recreational marijuana use - other states already allow medical marijuana sales - the vote has huge implications here. Washington state estimates it would collect $560 million in the first year from a planned 25-per-cent tax on the sale of licensed, regulated marijuana through authorized stores. If enacted, this could also cause a partial collapse of B.C.'s estimated $7-billion-a-year illegal pot industry, as growers relocate to the U.S. to avoid the need to smuggle. Recently, the Union of B.C. Municipalities passed a resolution calling for marijuana to be decriminalized. They'd rather pot be regulated and taxed instead, much like alcohol. The U.S. votes are a progressive move toward responsible marijuana use. It's time for B.C. to take a similar step toward decriminalization, if not legalization of marijuana. The potential tax revenue and the opportunity to reduce law enforcement costs, and help unclog our court system is too much to pass up. [continues 148 words]
Activist behind decriminalization campaign to speak in Kamloops An impending province wide initiative campaign to decriminalize marijuana faces legal hurdles but may have merit as well, local lawyers say. Dana Larsen, pot activist and former NDP leadership candidate, has branded his province wide initiative petition drive "Sensible B.C." His campaign is modeled on the successful initiative brought about by ex-premier Bill Vander Zalm to quash the HST. The purpose of this one? To make B.C. safer from criminal gang activity, save taxpayer dollars spent on law enforcement and bring the law into line with the will of the majority, Larsen said, citing a recent poll suggesting 80 per cent public support for decriminalization. [continues 704 words]
