Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jul 2013
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352

CAN POT VOTE SUCCEED IN B.C.?

Elections B.C. has approved Dana Larsen's drive for a referendum on
decriminalizing marijuana possession - a reminder that pot remains
illegal, and unlike our neighbour in Washington state, our province
and country remain far away from laws that take drug profits away from
criminals.

Any move to shake up drug laws in this country is seen as a good
thing. But pot smokers shouldn't have a victory toke yet - it's not
clear this referendum will even get off the ground, and, if it does,
if the province will give it the time of day.

Similar to the ultimately successful drive to oust the HST, Larsen and
his supporters need to collect signatures of at least 10 per cent of
elected voters in each of the 85 ridings.

The gross mishandling of the HST by the Liberals made it easy to whip
up voter anger. Many people in B.C. may support laxer laws around
possessing marijuana, but the issue is unlikely to inflame the same
passions as a government perceived as dishonest.

The drive to create a marijuana referendum could help get
voting-adverse young adults more engaged in politics.

If the referendum were to succeed anywhere in Canada, it should be
B.C. But even if Larsen and his allies win, the victory will be
non-binding and symbolic - the B.C. Liberals don't have to support the
vote.

B.C. may have a permissive pot culture, but this isn't the U.S.,
where, for better or worse, voter propositions are binding. And unlike
Canadian provinces, states like Washington and Colorado will defy
their federal government based on the will of the people.

- - Black Press
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MAP posted-by: Matt