Pubdate: Fri, 17 Feb 2012
Source: Cowichan News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Cowichan News Leader
Contact:  http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1314
Author: Peter W. Rusland
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT INCLINED TO CLEAR THE SMOKE ON LEGALIZED MARIJUANA

Opposition forces seem poised to make a push for reform in Canada's 
marijuana laws.

But no one's expecting the federal government to respond any time soon.

The federal Liberals recently adopted cannabis legalization as an 
official party policy, while that, or decriminalization, has the 
support of most federal NDP leadership candidates.

But former Cowichan Tory hopeful John Kory doubted dope would be 
legalized by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's current Conservative government.

"That's what opposition does: they raise these issues and they get 
debated," he said.

"If this story has legs, there'll be a broader discussion out there. 
Here's another opportunity for the public to engage with the issues, 
but it's not something I'll be focused on," he said.

"I don't think the Conservatives will be entertaining 
decriminalization or legalization of marijuana any time soon.

Cowichan's NDP MP Jean Crowder agrees.

As six of eight NDP leadership candidates supported pot reforms as 
heard in a recent survey by Vancouver's End Prohibition group ( more 
at whyprohibition.ca), she sees a federal government that seems more 
likely to get tougher on weed.

And that something she considers a mistake.

"We've been on record for a long period of time as supporting 
decriminalization," she said adding the resources used in combating 
the marijuana trade could be better used in other areas.

Crowder added the issue is not top-of-mind for people, at least based 
on the amount of times it comes up throughout her constituency.

Meanwhile, lawyer Mike Coleman, a former Liberal candidate and Duncan 
mayor, gave a cautious thumbs up to weed legalization as seen in a 
recent policy adopted by Bob Rae's Grits.

"The national caucus in Ottawa passed an endorsement, by a 
substantial margin, the approval of legalization," Coleman said "The 
NDP's playing catch up."

Coleman attended the Liberal party's Victoria convention where 
members moved marijuana-law reforms.

"It was led by youth delegates. I said I spent a number of years 
prosecuting it, and there are various issues but it's time for the 
country to take a serious look at it," he said.

Coleman cited a recent letter to Harper from Vancouver's current 
mayor, and three previous mayors, urging weed legalization to stop 
profits from sales of B.C. bud to that city's gangs.

"But it's not as simple a question as it seems," said Coleman. "If 
marijuana use continues to be against the law in the U.S., which is a 
major market for B.C. bud, there'll always be an element of criminal 
fundraising involved.

"A lot of B.C. marijuana is sold in the states in exchange for coke and guns.

"But if all the marijuana produced in B.C. was consumed by just 
British Columbians, no one would do any work.

"When and if it is approved," he cautioned, "don't celebrate by going 
into the street and having a smoke because very often municipal 
legislation has anti-smoking bylaws."

Don't expect to roll out that party for a long time, advised Koury, 
vice-president of the Cowichan Valley Conservative Association.

"It's an issue that crosses party lines. At the grassroots level, 
I've talked to people and there's a wide range of views.

"It'll come down to political will. I don't think its on the 
Conservative agenda."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom