Pubdate: Wed, 02 May 2012
Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)
Section: Front page
Copyright: 2012Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340
Author: Jeremy Deutsch
Cited: Stop the Violence BC: http://stoptheviolencebc.org/

LEGALIZE IT? NOT IN THE TRI-CITIES

Two Mayors Say No To Pot Regulation, But PoCo Plans To Debate The
Issue

While several B.C. mayors have joined the chorus calling for the
regulation of marijuana, the list won't include two Tri-Cities mayors.

Both Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay and Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart
told The NOW they will not be signing a letter from the group Stop the
Violence BC, which is calling for the regulation and taxation of cannabis.

Clay went further, adding he doesn't personally believe the drug
should be legal, arguing pot can be a gateway drug and its
distribution network is full of criminal elements.

"You can't legitimize these people," he said. Last week, eight B.C.
mayors signed the letter from STVBC, which asked provincial party
leaders to consider regulating and taxing cannabis as a way to reduce
crime and undercut the gang activity as a result of the illegal
marijuana trade.

The list contained the names of several Lower Mainland politicians,
including the mayors of Burnaby, Vancouver and City of North Vancouver.

Clay suggested decriminalizing pot would only empower the criminal
underworld, while legalizing and regulating the drug would glorify it
in the eyes of young people.

He said treating marijuana like alcohol and cigarettes would lead to
rampant abuse.

Clay also blasted the argument that pot could be legalized to generate
revenue, questioning whether it should be the same for heroin or
prostitution.

"It's just a horrible idea for anybody to suggest that would be a
motivating factor to legalizing a drug that we know causes so much
societal problems in our community," he said.

Clay indicated he's content with the laws as they stand now, but
conceded police officers don't need to be kicking in doors to bust a
couple smoking a joint in their home.

Stewart said he understands the medical use of marijuana for treating
people with chronic pain and cancer, but maintained the issue is one
for the federal government to decide.

"The question is a federal question, and the issue needs to be
addressed federally," he said.

Stewart argued much like decisions on war or trade relationships with
Asian countries, the pot debate is out of the city's mandate.

"We should be focusing on the business we've been hired to do and make
sure we do it really well," he said.

Meantime, the mayor of Port Coquitlam won't be making the decision to
sign the letter on his own.

The request by STVBC is scheduled for debate at an upcoming Port
Coquitlam city council intergovernmental committee meeting.

However, Mayor Greg Moore said he personally remains undecided on the
issue.

"This is one I'm really struggling with," he admitted.

"For me, this is something that I want to make sure when I put my name
to this one - if we do - it's based on what city council believes is
the right direction, not just based on my own thoughts."

Moore said he sees both sides of the issue, suggesting STVBC makes a
compelling argument for regulation, but also that marijuana can be a
gateway drug.

He said he also expects the debate around the council chambers to be
difficult for his colleagues.

According to its website,

Stop the Violence BC is a coalition of academics, members of law
enforcement and the general public concerned about the links between
marijuana prohibition in B.C. and the growth of organized crime and
related violence in the province. 
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