Pubdate: Fri, 12 Sep 2014
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Cassidy Olivier
Page: A12

COULD POT ACTIVIST'S PRESENT TO PREMIER HELP BRING END TO STRIKE?

Vancouver pot activist Dana Larsen mailed Christy Clark a half-ounce
of high-grade pot on Thursday to remind B.C.'s premier of the
potential tax windfall of legalizing the drug and to also offer an
alternative solution to ending the ongoing labour dispute with the
province's striking teachers.

Larsen, who once launched a failed citizens' campaign to decriminalize
pot possession in B.C. with a referendum, said legalization could haul
in an estimated $200 million a year in taxes - money, he said, that
could be used to pay for schools, teachers, hospitals, libraries and
community centres.

The pot connoisseur and former B.C. NDP leadership candidate also said
the Purple Kush he sent to the Premier's Victoria office could be used
as a peace pipe of sorts to ease tensions between the B.C. Teachers
Federation and the provincial government, whose ongoing labour battle
has kept schools shut for months.

"It (the Purple Kush) is a variety that I would say is very good for
relaxation and conversation - and so it would be great for a
late-night negotiation session," said Larsen. "It might come in handy
in BCTF negotiations. (If Premier Clark) wanted to get her team and
the BCTF folks together and smoke a few joints, that's been known to
help break down barriers and resolve conflicts and it could probably
come in handy."

Larsen, who sent out several tweets about the package before sending
it off, added that he's not too worried about being charged or
arrested - mailing drugs is illegal - as he believes Mounties have
more important things to attend. And he hopes Clark puts his gift to
good use.

"She used to smoke marijuana, she's been pretty open about that, that
she enjoyed it in high school," said Larsen. "So I'm sure she would
know what to do with it. I hope it doesn't go to waste. It was grown
with love."

When asked about the incoming package, a spokesperson at the Premier's
office would not comment.
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MAP posted-by: Matt