Pubdate: Wed, 03 Oct 2012
Source: Record, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.royalcityrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1654
Author: Theresa McManus

CITY SUPPORTS BID TO DECRIMINALIZE POT

Delegates to the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention have 
supported a resolution in favour of decriminalizing marijuana, but it 
was no walk in the park.

"It was a very lengthy debate," said Coun. Chuck Puchmayr. "We 
basically ate up the whole morning."

Municipal politicians eventually voted in favour of lobbying Ottawa 
to decriminalizing marijuana and to research its taxing and regulation.

Puchmayr said he is personally "vehemently" opposed to the 
legalization of marijuana, but he supports decriminalizing marijuana.

"It is unfortunate some young people will get a criminal record for 
smoking marijuana," he said.

While the UBCM's resolution in support of decriminalizing marijuana 
garnered headlines, municipal politicians considered many resolutions 
at the convention, including several from New Westminster. Those 
included seeking more services for seniors and the formation of a 
committee to address railway issues.

Coun. Jaimie McEvoy didn't attend this year's convention but was 
shocked by the level of debate about decriminalizing marijuana at a 
previous convention that he'd attended. McEvoy, who supports 
decriminalizing marijuana, said it was "bizarre" how much debate the 
resolution generated, when that time could have been better spent 
addressing infrastructure needs and affordable housing.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom