Pubdate: Sat, 07 Dec 2013 Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC) Copyright: 2013 Prince George Citizen Contact: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350 Author: William Stodalka Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca/ Page: 5 POT PETITION RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO PASS The fight to decriminalize B.C. bud appears to have gone up in smoke for the province, and the Peace Region appears to have joined the rest of the province in not supporting the endeavour. Sensible BC has publicly campaigned for the last few months to put marijuana decriminalization up to a referendum. In order to do so, they would need at least 10 per cent of voters in each of the province's 85 voting areas to sign a petition. For the Peace River South area that includes Dawson Creek, the effort isn't looking too hopeful. Charles Kux-Kardos, who is organizing the campaign's efforts in the Peace River South area, said that he has not received enough signatures yet, with only a few days left to go for the campaign. "It's not going to happen," he said. "Once the dust settles and everything is kind of counted, we may have gotten about half of what we needed." While he did see it as successful that they were able to foster conversation about the subject of marijuana decriminalization, he said voter apathy played a part. "My theory: the demographic of 19-to-35 just didn't come out in force," Kux-Kardos said. "That 19-to-35 demographic just seems to be so pissed off with politicians in general that they just ignore it." Despite this, the group's founder is not reported to have given up. "We're not throwing in the towel yet, but we're acknowledging we have a ways to go at this point," Dana Larsen, Sensible BC's founder, was quoted as saying. In the North Peace, Sensible BC coordinator Ty Henry expressed frustration at what he said turned out to be an "unorganized campaign." Henry said the campaign had momentum in its early days - he was submitted a list of some 40 people who signed up to canvass and volunteer for the cause - but only a half-dozen actually stepped up to the plate when he called. "People have no problems clicking a link, but as soon as it comes down to putting a signature on paper, or going up to speak with someone, a lot of people are scared to do it," said Henry. Henry says he collected about 500 signatures himself in the North Peace, but couldn't speculate on the number of signatures other canvassers had collected. He said he's waiting for the full tally to come in before declaring victory or defeat. Either way, Henry predicts Canada will legalize marijuana in the next five years. "What it comes down to in the end is money," said. "The government ... needs money to make things work and it's a giant revenue stream waiting for them." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt