Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jul 2014
Source: Alberni Valley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Glacier Community Media
Contact:  http://www.avtimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4043
Author: Nick Kelly
Page: 4

B.C. MUST FOLLOW U.S. POT EXAMPLE OR PAY BIG PRICE

Even the financial TV news channels are agog at the sight of 
Colorado's new retail marijuana shops, which opened for business Wednesday.

Note: they are not dispensaries; the state has done away with the 
medical window dressing so zealously clung to by Health Canada.

More important for B.C., Washington state will soon follow and allow 
recreational sales. Please note that the economic consequences for 
B.C. have absolutely nothing to do with anyone's personal 
consumption, approval or disapproval.

During America's disastrous 14-year prohibition of beer, wine or 
liquor, immense fortunes were made in Canada, including the 
Bronfman's Seagram's empire.

But tens of thousands in salaries were also paid, and the money 
Canadians spent on beverage alcohol stayed in the country.

But it looks like the Americans are going to get even. B.C.'s 12,500 
licences to grow marijuana expire March 31, with, so far, only a 
handful of Health Canada approved licences supposedly filling the demand.

And, of course, completing the farcical script, you will need a 
prescription. A massive shortage looms that one our American friends 
will be only too glad to fill.

Estimates of the B.C. industry vary, but no one has put it at less 
than a billion dollars, and some have put it as high as six billion.

The replacement of B.C. product by Washington product will cost B.C. 
several per cent in growth and with an iffy year predicted in 
virtually all other commodities, may put the province into recession. 
B.C. has to follow the example of Washington and Colorado and stand 
up to federal prohibitionists.

One place to start would be a class action lawsuit on behalf of 
holders of existing licences which are, in effect, being seized. Yes, 
some of them have been nuisances but the existing laws applying to 
any business (zoning, etc.) could easily solve most concerns.

Nick Kelly Nanaimo
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom