Pubdate: Wed, 28 Aug 2013
Source: Cowichan News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Cowichan News Leader
Contact:  http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1314
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca

SENSIBLE B.C. BELONGS AT THE FARMER'S MARKET

Pot Legalization: No Harm in Adding Ideas to What's Available 
Saturdays in City Square

On the one hand you've got to respect the Duncan Farmers Market's 
right to determine who takes part in its weekly smorgasbord in city square.

If market organizers felt the Sensible B.C. campaign was too 
political to fit the market's mandate, or that it might detract from 
the regular vendors, then they were within their rights to just say no.

On the other hand, what's the big deal?

For those who haven't been following things closely, Sensible B.C. is 
a mainstream organization that has launched a legal lobby to petition 
the provincial government to repeal marijuana prohibition, and 
essentially decriminalize pot.

For reference, it is following the same process that was used to 
repeal the HST.

It is not some sort of fringe or radical organization, nor is it a 
partisan one. It's the sort of exercise in ideas and public 
empowerment that we need to see more of in our community.

And it represents the type of thing city square was built for.

With our neighbours in Washington state recently getting on board, 
the question of decriminalization is a particularly timely one.

Many people are questioning the amount of resources used in stamping 
out the marijuana trade, the degree of harm the plant causes, and - 
most importantly - the way the current law makes criminals out of 
many otherwise law-abiding people.

And it is something that likely would have added to Duncan's market 
experience. It certainly seemed to in other local markets.

We hope Sensible B.C. tries again as the campaign grows. And next 
time we hope it gets a different answer.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom