Pubdate: Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Source: Richmond News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmond-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244

BLAZING A TRAIL FOR REFORM

Another April 20, another 4/20 rally in which recreational pot
enthusiasts gather en masse, light up their doobies in defiance of the
man, and let the world know they think marijuana should be legal, or
at least decriminalized.

It may seem like a juvenile act of insubordination, but the 4/20
rallies have evolved from smoky, alternative gatherings into an
establishment-based pro-marijuana legalization campaign. The movement
to reform the country's ridiculous pot laws now wears a suit or lab
coat, not a Bob Marley T-shirt.

It has become tedious making the intellectual argument year after year
that on a legal, public health and safety level our existing laws make
no sense. But Stop the Violence B.C., the group of like-minded
doctors, academics and law enforcement professionals pushing to
legalize the drug, continue to add high-profile names to the list of
converts willing to go public with their arguments.

According to recent polls released by STVBC, the vast majority of
British Columbians are on-side with a legalization and taxation model
for marijuana policy. The rest of Canada is not far behind either.

We've seen a trend of politicians "coming out" as pro-legalization
only after they're out of office, or supporting it in name only when
they are trying to get elected. It's the ones in power now who need to
look at the overwhelming evidence that it's time for reform.

So, go ahead and have the rallies, they look like fun. But if the war
is to be won any time soon, it's going to also happen in the halls of
power - and they don't let you smoke in there. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D