Pubdate: Thu, 17 Oct 2013
Source: Alberni Valley News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Alberni Valley News
Contact:  http://www.albernivalleynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4247
Author: Dana Larsen
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n500/a09.html

TIME TO ADOPT MORE SENSIBLE POT LAWS IN BC

To the Editor,

Re: Marijuana 'reeferendum' misguided, BC Views, Oct. 10.

Mr. Fletcher's recent column misrepresented the Sensible BC campaign, 
and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum.

The ultimate aim of Sensible BC is to have BC's marijuana industry 
regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the 
Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal.

The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed 
to be within provincial jurisdiction.

The first aspect is to redirect police resources away from being 
wasted on simple possession of marijuana.

If Sensible BC is successful, then tens of thousands of hours of 
police and court time would immediately be freed up to pursue real 
criminals. This means safer communities for everyone, and less 
backlog in our courts.

Second, our legislation treats a minor in possession of marijuana 
exactly the same as if it were alcohol.

Third, the Sensible Policing Act calls upon the federal government to 
repeal marijuana prohibition, so that BC can regulate and tax it in a 
manner similar to wine and beer.

This would send a powerful message of change to Ottawa, and give our 
prime minister the mandate to legalize.

Finally, our legislation would create a BC commission to figure out 
the rules needed to implement legalization. Like alcohol and tobacco, 
most of the regulation for legal marijuana would be determined at the 
provincial level.

British Columbia cannot fully legalize marijuana without a change to 
federal law, but we can take some sensible steps in the right 
direction. That is what Sensible BC is all about.

Dana Larsen,

Sensible BC
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom