Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jan 2013
Source: Discovery Islander (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Discovery Islander
Contact:  http://www.discoveryislander.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5427

CANNABIS CRUSADER COMING TO QUADRA ISLAND AND CORTES ISLAND

Dana Larsen is touring Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast to
promote the Sensible BC decriminalization campaign.

Dana Larsen, former candidate for the leadership of the BC NDP, is
coming to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast to promote the
Sensible Policing Act, which would effectively decriminalize cannabis
possession in the province.

Larsen will be speaking to supporters in Quadra Island on January 17,
from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm, at the Quadra Island Community Centre (970 West
Road, Quadra Island), and the next day, January 18, on Cortes Island
from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm at Manson's Community Hall (983 Beasley, Cortes
Island).

"The Sensible Policing Act directs all police in BC to stop spending
any time or resources on searching, seizing or arresting anyone for
simple cannabis possession," explained Larsen, who works as Director
of the Vancouver Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary. "The lawyers at
Elections BC have confirmed that this legislation is within provincial
jurisdiction and suitable for a referendum."

Larsen is leading the Sensible BC campaign to have a referendum on the
Sensible Policing Act, putting volunteers in place to collect the
official signatures needed from September to November of 2013. He's
been on tour to over three dozen cities and towns across BC since
October last year.

"Our campaign has already been endorsed by the Vancouver Sun, Black
Press and many other columnists and public figures," said Larsen.
"We've been building fabulous momentum."

"There's no reason we cannot decriminalize possession in our
province," continued Larsen. "In 2003, BC joined seven other provinces
in refusing to enforce the Long Gun Registry. At that time, Attorneys
General said they didn't want to bother with otherwise law-abiding
citizens who were in possession of an unregistered long gun. We're
asking for the same sensible perspective when it comes to people in
possession of cannabis."

The recent votes to legalize cannabis in the US states of Washington
and Colorado has given the Sensible BC campaign a solid boost.

"Across Washington, thousands of charges for simple possession are
being dropped," explained Larsen, "saving taxpayers millions of
dollars while also unclogging the justice system. Yet here in BC we're
seeing possession charges skyrocket. If trends continue, 2013 will be
another record-breaking year, with over 4000 pot possession charges
being laid across BC. It's time for a more sensible approach."

"Our main challenge is organizational," concluded Larsen. "We need to
have thousands of dedicated volunteers working all across the province
for this campaign to succeed. Anyone who wants to help should come to
our event, or visit us online to find out more."

UPCOMING SENSIBLE BC TOUR DATES

Sat, Jan 19: Port Hardy Sun, Jan 20: Port McNeil Mon, Jan 21: Campbell
River Wed, Jan 23: University of Victoria Thu, Jan 24: Powell River
Fri, Jan 25: Roberts Creek

For More Information DANA LARSEN: 604-812-4372  BC: http://SensibleBC.ca 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D