Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2011 Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Prince George Citizen Contact: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350 Author: Arthur Williams, Citizen Staff CHAMBER TAKES SHOT FOR POT P.G. Proposal Asks B.C. Chamber to OK Need for Weed The Prince George Chamber of Commerce advocated for the legalization of marijuana at the B.C. Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting on Monday. The Prince George chamber proposed a two-part resolution for the B.C. Chamber to advocate for marijuana legalization and stronger enforcement of money laundering laws to combat organized crime. After lengthy debate, an amended form of the motion only dealing with money laundering failed to achieve the 67 per cent support needed to pass. "There is a huge, vicious cycle when it comes to organized crime," Prince George chamber vice-president Tracy Peterson said. "In 2006 the B.C. Progress Board also suggested this would be a way to reduce organized crime." In 2009, the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General reported 68 per cent of drug related offenses were related to marijuana. In the same year, municipalities in B.C. spent $885 million on police services. Peterson said the rising costs of gang-related activity is a financial burden to local, provincial and federal governments - and in turn a tax burden on business. In addition, the crime associated with marijuana grow operations grow operations can have a direct negative effect on business in the form of increased property crime, the Prince George chamber stated in its report to the B.C. chamber. Proceeds from the estimated $6 billion illegal trade in marijuana is funneled into other legal and illegal operations. Peterson urged delegates at the B.C. Chamber AGM to support the money laundering portion of the resolution. "I do understand that this is a controversial issue," Peterson said. "[But] the money laundering has an impact on business. When someone can walk into a casino with $420,000 in twenties and walk out with legal money, that's a problem." Delegates voted 189 in favour of the money-laundering portion of the resolution, and 159 against. Because the vote did not meet the two-thirds approval requirement the motion was defeated. B.C. Chamber vice-president of policy development Jon Garson said the policy committee supported Prince George's call for marijuana legalization. "The discussion at the policy committee was just as vigorous as it was here," Garson said. "The major concerns are the war on drugs keeps getting worse and worse. Look at what's happening in Mexico. I commend Prince George for having the courage to bring this forward." The proposal was a debate worth having, Garson added. However, not all delegates thought so. "My concern is the B.C. chamber has limited resources. Let's not kid ourselves, Stephen Harper's government is not going to consider this," Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce vice-president Mike Welte said. Delegates from border communities and Victoria raised concerns about increased delays and screening at the U.S. border. Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce chairman Richard Rainey said supporting marijuana legalization would be a public relations disaster for the chamber. "For us to use those words in this forum... if were to pass this, that would be the headline tomorrow," Rainey said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.