Pubdate: Wed, 04 Apr 2012
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: Richard Rolke

CITY COUNCIL WANTS MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZED

Enderby politicians want marijuana decriminalized and taxed.

A majority of council voted Monday to ask senior government to 
regulate cannabis as a way of reducing crime, rationalizing police 
resources and creating a new source of revenue for communities.

"We're not saying we agree with marijuana but the current process is 
not working and it fuels the gangs," said Mayor Howie Cyr, a former 
RCMP officer.

"Instead of throwing countless people into jail (for marijuana 
possession) and spending money on enforcement, treat it like 
cigarettes or prescription drugs."

Cyr believes marijuana-related investigations, which can take years, 
can be a drain on policing resources, and they prevent authorities 
from dealing with other matters.

"Smaller communities paying for policing are being hit really hard."

Cyr suggests a new approach to marijuana could also benefit those who 
use the substance.

"We need to regulate it and tax it and put money into education and 
rehabilitation," he said.

Lone opposition came from Coun. Beryl Ludwig.

"Any drug addicts or former addicts you talk to say they started with 
marijuana," she said.

"Marijuana is the gateway to harder drugs."

Ludwig admits, though, that she understands the concerns about 
drug-related crime and police officers spending time on marijuana 
grow-ops that keep surfacing in the community.

"It would be nice to have the taxes from marijuana but would the 
taxes be enough to pay for the people that need rehabilitation?" she said.

"It's hard to legalize something that wrecks so many lives."

The officer in charge of the North Okanagan RCMP was reluctant to 
comment on Enderby council's decision.

"The RCMP's position is the politicians make the laws and we enforce 
them," said Supt. Reg Burgess.

"At this point, we are going with the laws given to us to enforce and 
there is no change there."

Council decided to lobby for cannabis control after a request from 
Stop the Violence B.C., which advocates for a new approach to marijuana.

"The coalition, along with other organizations such as the Health 
Officers Council of B.C. and the Canadian Public Health Association, 
believes that a strictly regulated legal market for marijuana could 
better control availability of the drug while at the same time starve 
organized crime of this enormous cash cow," said Evan Wood, Stop the 
Violence B.C. spokesperson and a University of B.C. professor of medicine.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom