Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jul 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
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca

PETITION SEEKS TO CHALLENGE POT BUSTS

A marijuana advocacy group hopes to sign up 400,000 British 
Columbians as part of an initiative to change the provincial Police 
Act to discourage cops from pursuing minor possession offences

A petition to decriminalize marijuana by making it a "burden" for 
police officers to catch pot smokers needs the signatures of 400,000 
British Columbians to be introduced as provincial legislation.

Dana Larsen, director of SensibleBC, has been approved by the 
province's chief electoral officer for the initiative to change 
B.C.'s Police Act to discourage officers from pursuing minor 
marijuana possession offences.

There are two provisions police would then have to acknowledge.

"The first simply tells them not t o ( purse marijuana offences). If 
they were to do so, that would be a violation to the Police Act, 
which we're ( attempting to be) amending," he said.

"We also impose a paperwork burden on them as well. If an officer 
chooses to make a seizure or arrest for marijuana possession, they 
would need to file a public report as to why they chose to do so."

Under the proposed Sensible Policing Act , Victoria must also 
request, within three months of the legislation's passing, the 
federal government to repeal Canada's marijuana drug laws, or give 
B.C. an exemption to them.

Larsen said a previous poll commissioned by SensibleBC in March found 
more than 70% of British Columbians supported the proposal's 
provisions. He pointed to the success of the anti-Harmonized Sales 
Tax campaign's referendum as a sign the government would back the proposal.

According to ElectionsBC spokesman Don Main, if Larsen can gather the 
signatures - which must equal or exceed 10% of the province's 
registered voters - a draft bill would be either introduced in the 
legislature or put to voters for a non-binding referendum.

That said, the politicians do have the final say.

"The legislature would still have the power to ignore it or not pass 
it, but I think they would do so at their own political peril," Larsen said.

The petition will b e launched on Sept. 9. Larsen asks those 
interested i n the campaign to visit SensibleBC.ca .
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom