Call it the Marijuana domino effect. Less than two weeks after Washington and Colorado voted to legalize and regulate cannabis, lawmakers in five other states say they are considering similar bills. In Latin American, Mexican President Felipe Calderon says Uncle Sam now has lost the "moral authority" to ask other nations to maintain the cannabis prohibition and combat trafficking. A fundamental change has occurred, he added, that requires the rethinking of public policy in the entire Western Hemisphere. Calderon joined the leaders of Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica on Monday calling for the Organization of American States to study the change, and saying the UN General Assembly should hold a special session on the prohibition of drugs by 2015. [continues 632 words]
What is really at stake if B.C. follows Washington State and Colorado and successfully legalizes marijuana? Money, of course, that other green substance. Let's start with the estimated value of the illicit pot growing industry here in B.C. It's often claimed to be between $6 to $8 billion, a fairly rough estimate given that none of the principals are filling out any corporate tax forms or quarterly earning reports. Even if it's lower than the estimates, it's a huge industry. By contrast, in 2011 the entire forest industry had a value of just under $10 billion. [continues 534 words]
Dana Larsen brings his decriminalize-pot message to the Okanagan next week. Larsen, a former leader of the Marijuana Party, is touring Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon to promote new legislation that would decriminalize pot possession in the province. Recent votes to legalize cannabis in the U.S. have boosted his campaign. "Reporters from around B.C. and across Canada have been calling to find out how we plan to do it in B.C. after what activists accomplished in Washington and Colorado," he said in a statement. [continues 238 words]
Marijuana is legal in the great state of Washington. To find out how this new law will impact the pot industry in British Columbia, I spoke with a person whose livelihood is dependent on the drug trade - namely, a drug dealer. The drug dealer will remain anonymous for reasons too obvious to enumerate. Samuel Kirz: Some speculate that the marijuana business contributes approximately $6 billion to the economy of British Columbia annually, and that B.C. produces 40% of all marijuana consumed in Canada. Are these numbers accurate? [continues 649 words]
As part of the U.S. election last week, two states - Washington and Colorado - on state-wide ballots voted in favour of the legalization of marijuana that would make recreational use of the drug legal (although it is only a matter of time before the U.S. federal government steps in). I have to shake my head at such short sighted thinking on the part of these two states. This September a majority of mayors here in B.C. voted to "decriminalize marijuana and research the regulation and taxation of marijuana." It might be helpful to look at the difference between decriminalization and legalization. [continues 968 words]
The people of Richmond are being asked to judge videos created by local students about the harsh reality of ecstasy use and abuse. As part of an awareness program run in the district's schools by Richmond Addictions Services, the X-Press Youth Video Contest was launched, where students Grades 8 to 12 created videos to raise awareness about the consequences ecstasy use can have on individuals, families and the community. Addiction specialists presented 23 information sessions to students in Richmond secondary schools, community centres and local service providers. [continues 99 words]
Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad is breaking from the B.C. Liberal Party line and wading into the debate over whether marijuana should be legalized, saying the issue is at least worth discussing particularly given the recent outcome in Washington State. Voters there have passed a proposition to legalize marijuana although the outcome remains subject to a court challenge from the U.S. federal government and about a year's work to determine how to best implement the initiative. But if all goes ahead as planned, Rustad said the process of crossing the border could take longer, "and that, of course, slows down our trade which hurts our economy." [continues 526 words]
Dana Larsen wants cops to stop worrying about recreational pot smokers. Larsen stopped in Prince Rupert last week to promote the sensible Policing Act which aims to decriminalize possession of marijuana in British Columbia. "The Sensible Policing Act will amend the Police Act... by instructing police in British Columbia to spend no time or resources on searching, seizing, detaining or arresting anyone for simple possession of cannabis essentially decriminalizing it," Larsen said at Wednesday's gathering at the Prince Rupert Library. [continues 269 words]
The Harper Conservatives have newly nixed the idea of reforming Canada's pot laws but that's not stopping activists in B. C. from mobilizing for decriminalization. The issue is back in the news following Nov. 6 votes in Colorado and Washington to relax marijuana legislation. Like Canada's government, the Obama administration, remains opposed, making a showdown between state voters and Washington, D. C., almost inevitable. The same sort of showdown, between B. C. and Ottawa, doubtless would ensue should a proposed 2014 referendum to decriminalize pot be endorsed by B. C.' s voters. [continues 546 words]
A group crusading for the decriminalization of marijuana stopped in the Peace Region to raise awareness of the cause. Dana Larsen, director of Sensible B.C., spoke to supporters about the campaign he is running to have the province adopt the Sensible Policing Act. This legislation would stop police from arresting people for possession of marijuana. "We want to legalize all aspects of the cannabis industry and bring it forward into a regulated system," explained Larsen. Larsen believes that it's important that he visits all the regions in British Columbia, including the Peace Region. [continues 849 words]
Liberal MLA Doug Horne will be in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, today representing B.C. at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region conference. It's a regular meeting of western provinces and states where officials talk about common concerns. Marijuana is not on the agenda, Horne said, and he has no plans to bring it up. But you can bet some hallway chatter will be about the groundbreaking Washington state initiative vote last week that effectively legalizes the recreational use of up to one ounce of pot by adults. [continues 659 words]
Richmond youth created videos to raise awareness about the impact of ecstasy use on individuals, families and the community, as part of the X-Press Youth Video Contest. And now the city's being invited to check them out. Organized by the City of Richmond and Richmond Addictions Services, the contest culminates on Friday, Nov. 23 at Richmond City Hall, during the Youth Red Carpet Viewing Party when the contest winners will be announced, including the winner of the $500 top prize. [continues 282 words]
What is really at stake if B.C. follows Washington State and Colorado and successfully legalizes marijuana? Money, of course, that other green substance. Let's start with the estimated value of the illicit pot growing industry here in B.C. It's often claimed to be between $6-$8 billion, a fairly rough estimate given that none of the principals are filling out any corporate tax forms or quarterly earning reports. Even if it's lower than the estimates, it's a huge industry. By contrast, in 2011 the entire forest industry had a value of just under $10 billion. [continues 534 words]
What's that smell? That acrid, smoky smell? Almost like skunk, but not quite. A bit sweeter. Sort of like the neighbour is burning his grass clippings. Aha! That's it! Burning grass! I smell burning grass. It's wafting up into B.C. from across the border in Washington State, I think. But it's not grass "clippings." It's "grass." It's dried green bits of vegetative matter rolled up in little bits of paper and bringing an air of lassitude-along with adding that distinct odour to the air-to our neighbours to the south. [continues 496 words]
Drugs Are Still the Primary Reason for Discipline Abbotsford school suspensions are on a steady downward trend, according to a report presented to the board of education Tuesday night. However, drugs continue to be the primary reason discipline is meted out to students, the data shows. Total suspensions, both in and out of school, have declined by 30 per cent since 2007/08, said SD34 spokesman Dave Stephen. A total of 1,253 students were suspended in the 2011/12 school year. Of that total, 727 students received out of school suspensions, which average between three to five days in length. [continues 254 words]
British Columbia's multibillion-dollar marijuana industry is expected to take a hit following legalization votes in two U.S. states - but there could still be time to cash in. A B.C. man who sells marijuana seeds to U.S. customers says Washington state and Colorado could see a spike in demand in the short term. Even though the two states voted to decriminalize marijuana, licensed stores won't open for at least a year. That creates a scenario in which marijuana is legal but there is nowhere to legally purchase it. [continues 580 words]
At this point, no one needs to be told that the war on marijuana has been a dismal failure. Or almost no one. After all, there is abundant evidence from around the world, and from right here in British Columbia, that marijuana prohibition has failed to achieve any of its stated objectives. Indeed, as governments spent trillions - yes, trillions - of dollars prosecuting the war on drugs, marijuana use rates increased, with the potency of the drug increasing and its price decreasing. [continues 627 words]
If retired drug cop Al Arsenault thinks legal pot is for dopes, then surely, if he is to be consistent, he must also believe that legal booze is unacceptable as well. Starting a new campaign as the leader of a new temperance movement are you, Al? We should legalize all recreational drugs and retire thousands of more drug cops. Alan Randell, Victoria [end]
Following Washington's referendum vote in favour of legalizing and taxing marijuana, Surrey-North MP Jasbir Sandhu said it may be time B.C. looks into allowing the drug in the province. "There are a lot of issues associated when you legalize marijuana and I think they need to be examined," he said. In two separate referendums held Tuesday, Nov. 6, Washington and Colorado residents voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use by anyone age 21 and up. Sandhu cited the Le Dain Commission from the early 1970s that looked into the non-medical use of drugs in Canada and added that it may be time to follow up with such studies. He said the nation's war on drugs hasn't worked and that governments need to take a different approach to social policy issues regarding recreational marijuana use. [continues 80 words]
Inside British Columbia
