Dear Editor, After 90 days, the results are in. The SensibleBC campaign for cannabis reform collected over 200,000 signatures, two-thirds of the way to our goal of 10 per cent of voters. Locally, we got almost eight per cent in the Maple Ridge-Mission riding and sev en per cent in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. In comparison, the successful petitions in Washington and Colorado got 3.6 per cent over 180 days, without the need to go riding by riding. [continues 479 words]
Editor, The News: After 90 days, the results are in - the SensibleBC campaign for cannabis reform collected more than 200,000 signatures, two-thirds of the way to its goal of 10 per cent of voters. The campaign got almost eight per cent in the Maple Ridge-Mission riding and seven per cent in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. In comparison, the successful petitions in Washington State and Colorado got 3.6 per cent over 180 days, without the need to go riding by riding. [continues 480 words]
Editor, The News: Re: Marijuana referendum misguided (B.C. Views, Oct. 9). Tom Fletcher claims he has wanted to legalize and regulate cannabis for the past 20 years, and when the only viable option to create a path to legalization and regulation within two years is presented, he reacts like someone called his bluff. Seems he is willing to wait another 20 years. Well, Mr. Fletcher, the rest of us aren't willing to wait. The majority of Canadians - hell, the majority of Conservatives (62 per cent) - would like decriminalization or legalization to happen. [continues 410 words]
Editor, The News: Mayor and council, the economic implications of encouraging the medical cannabis industry in Maple Ridge are huge. The industry creates well-paying, sustainable jobs on a small footprint, pays taxes, employs locals and consumes goods and services from surrounding businesses. This is exactly the type of business activity council has been dreaming of and talking about for as long as I can remember. But what I see council doing is pushing the industry away by making it difficult to site them where they would be easiest to service and made secure. [continues 351 words]
