While a campaign aiming to decriminalize the possession of marijuana didn't get enough support province-wide to force a referendum, there were enough North Coast voters who agreed pot possession shouldn't be a crime. Trevor Kayzer, Sensible BC's North Coast coordinator, said more than 1,700 signatures were collected in the riding, which consists of Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Haida Gwaii, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. "We didn't make [our goal of] 15 per cent, but we made 10 per cent plus a few hundred for cushion," he said. [continues 283 words]
Success Is Within Reach, but There's Still a Lot of Work to Be Done. Those are the thoughts of Dana Larsen of Sensible BC on the ongoing campaign aiming to decriminalize simple marijuana possession. With the Dec. 5 deadline approaching, Sensible BC canvassers in Prince Rupert and around the province have to kick into high gear to get the required signatures to force a referendum on the matter. The Sensible BC campaign would need just over 300,000 signatures across the province, equating to 10 per cent of registered voters in each of the province's electoral districts, to force a referendum. The campaign is aiming for 400,000 signatures to cover any signatures that don't count according to Elections BC rules. [continues 315 words]
Pro-pot leader mocks investigation The Cannabis Crusader handed over a trophy recognizing Prince Rupert RCMP for a six-month investigation into a business selling glass pipes, bongs and grinders. Dana Larsen of Sensible BC, a group working toward decriminalizing possession of marijuana and preventing police from spending time or resources on possession cases, made a trip up north on June 27 to specifically address what he calls "harassment" by Prince Rupert RCMP against businesses selling pipes and bongs. Larsen said he wanted to draw attention to what he calls a "waste of RCMP resources in a fun way". [continues 571 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]
