Pubdate: Thu, 22 Dec 2011
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart, Daily News
Cited: Stop the Violence BC: http://stoptheviolencebc.org/ Front Page

COALITION PUSHES FOR POT TO BE REGULATED

Nanaimo's new medical health officer is supportive of a push to 
regulate marijuana distribution like tobacco, to reduce gang violence 
and to make the drug less accessible to young people.

Stop the Violence Coalition B.C, says taxing pot would be better than 
the billions of dollars spent on enforcement.

SVCBC created headlines in the fall when four former Vancouver mayors 
signed a letter favouring its position.

The organization released a report today showing pot is cheaper, 
stronger and more widely available since prohibition, based on 
government's own statistics and an Angus-Reid public opinion poll 
showing wide support for decriminalization.

The coalition of health professionals, police, legal experts and 
academics is not pushing for decriminalization of the so-called harder 
drugs, speed, cocaine or heroin.

"Our current approach to drug policy, to get tough on crime and make 
it even more of a criminal offence hasn't worked," said Dr.

Paul Hasselback, who became the medical health officer in Nanaimo in September.

Hasselback speaks as chairman of the Health Officers Council of B.C., 
which recently voted unanimously for SVCBC's position.

A recent poll found 82% of British Columbians consider marijuana less 
harmful than tobacco.

Data from Canadian and U.S. governments indicates rather than reducing 
drug use, a 40-year, $1-trillion war on drugs has produced cannabis 
42% more potent and easier for youth to buy than cigarettes.

It is in the report How Not to Protect Community Health and Safety.

A federal crime bill could give automatic jail sentences for 
possession of five pot plants, but SVCBC advocates a regulatory 
approach using proven mechanisms "that have been used to reduce 
tobacco use," in B.C., said Evan Wood, a SVCBC member.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.