Pubdate: Fri, 19 Apr 2013
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Michael Mui

TRUSTEE WARNS OF POT PARTY DANGERS

A Vancouver School Board trustee is warning students not to attend 
the annual 4/20 marijuana celebration in downtown Saturday, citing 
the health and safety concerns of minors in spite of growing support 
revealed in new polls to support the drug.

On Thursday, trustee Ken Denike noted marijuana is still a "banned 
substance." He warned parents it's very unlikely children who attend 
the celebration in front of Vancouver Art Gallery would emerge 
untouched by the billowing clouds of smoke and weed offered for sale.

"There is kind of a 'cool' nature to it (marijuana)," Denike said. 
"If it's continually habitual there are serious side effects in terms 
of judgment for driving and regular motor skills. There are those 
issues to be considered. An experienced smoker is not going to have 
the same kinds of problems as someone starting out."

Two organizations, meanwhile, have released polls before the May 14 
provincial election, urging for marijuana reform. Both groups - 
Sensible BC and Stop the Violence BC - support the regulation and 
taxation of marijuana.

Vancouver police Const. Brian Montague said officers "fully expect" 
marijuana smokers at the downtown rally, but organizers have also 
worked closely with city and police officials to ensure good behaviour.

"We're hoping that the organizers will help prevent people that are 
under the age of 18 from participating in things that would expose 
them to that type of activity," he said.

"They expressed they will do the best job they can to ensure 
underaged kids, under the age of 18, are not exposed to this."

The STVBC survey found 73% of British Columbians support a research 
trial by local experts and scientists to examine whether regulating 
pot could curb organized crime and prevent young people from 
accessing the drug.

That same study found 44% of those surveyed say "their perception of 
a provincial political party would improve" if the ruling party 
supported this trial.

Sensible BC's poll found half of British Columbians would be more 
likely to vote for a candidate calling for weed reform.

STVBC conducted an online survey among 807 B.C. adults April 8-9, 
with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.

Sensible BC's poll was conducted between March 12 to 14 with a sample 
of 914 B.C. adults. The data, according to the pollster, was weighted 
to reflect the gender, age, and educational and regional composition 
of the province's population in the 2006 census.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom