Pubdate: Fri, 06 Feb 2015
Source: Campbell River Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Campbell River Mirror
Contact:  http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1380

A RELAXED ATTITUDE ON MARIJUANA

The attitude towards marijuana in this province is in sharp contrast
with the approach in other parts of Canada.

Proof of that comes in details from a court document, filed as part of
an application to seize a property near the Aldergrove border crossing
which was the subject of a massive search last week.

Although the large property just drew public attention last week, the
documents suggest it has been used for marijuana production since
1993. That's a 22-year period.

It is important to keep in mind that, in 1993, growing and selling
marijuana for any purposes was illegal in Canada. While there were
advocates for medicinal marijuana, which has since been allowed,
growing, selling and using the product could lead to criminal charges.

Yet as the documents suggest, there was plenty of marijuana being
grown in Langley (and other parts of B.C.) at that time. Some was for
local consumption, and some was truly for medicinal purposes. However,
the vast majority was grown for shipment to the U.S. and other
countries, often in return for other drugs or guns.

B.C. residents have had a more laissez-faire attitude towards
marijuana since the late 1960s, and a willingness to put up with
marijuana growing, if not actively partaking in what has been a big
business, has been strong for many years.

Could any other province have been so receptive to marijuana activist
Marc Emery who, after serving several years in a U.S. jail, is
encouraging American marijuana users to come here and buy their supply
- - even though it remains illegal to sell it, except for medicinal purposes?

It seems likely that, if the legalization of marijuana in Washington
and Colorado turns out to be successful, marijuana will be legalized
throughout North America some day.

If that does happen, B.C. marijuana activists, and the laissez-faire
attitude that so many B.C. residents have, will have played a major
role.
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MAP posted-by: Matt