Permit or no permit, why Vancouver should embrace 4/20 Day Vancouver's annual 4/20 is going to be at Sunset Beach -- and this year will be bigger than ever. Since we began with a small gathering of activists in 1995, Vancouver's 4/20 protest has grown into one of the city's largest and most well-known public celebrations. Around 100,000 people now show up to protest prohibition, celebrate Vancouver's world-famous cannabis culture and enjoy a unique marijuana farmer's market. [continues 362 words]
Rally in Victoria. Thank you so much to everyone that made it to the rally at the provincial Legislature on February 11. It was so inspiring to see hundreds of our supporters gather from Victoria to Dawson Creek - and everywhere in between - to stand shoulder to shoulder in front of the Legislature. It was a powerful reminder of the strength of our movement and our ongoing dedication to sensible marijuana policy reform. Another step backwards. Tens of thousands of Canadians depend on medical marijuana every day. Yet the upcoming changes to the medical marijuana program will price many patients out of the market for their medicine. [continues 217 words]
Dear Editor, Re: B.C. marijuana referendum misguided, Oct. 10, Merritt Herald Mr. Fletcher's recent editorial misrepresented the Sensible BC campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible BC is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 298 words]
To the Editor, Re: Marijuana 'reeferendum' misguided, BC Views, Oct. 10. Mr. Fletcher's recent column misrepresented the Sensible BC campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible BC is to have BC's marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 196 words]
Re: B.C. marijuana referendum misguided (BC Views, Oct.9) Tom Fletcher's recent editorial misrepresented the Sensible B.C. campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible B.C. is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 239 words]
Mr. Fletcher's recent editorial misrepresented the Sensible B.C. campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible B.C. is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 295 words]
Re: B.C. marijuana referendum misguided (BC Views, Oct.9) Tom Fletcher's recent editorial misrepresented the Sensible B.C. campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible B.C. is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 240 words]
In response to Tom Fletcher's editorial in your most recent edition. "B.C. marijuana referendum misguided" Sooke News Mirror, Oct. 9, 2013, page 6. Mr. Fletcher's recent editorial misrepresented the Sensible BC campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible BC is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. [continues 317 words]
Editor: Re: B.C. marijuana referendum misguided, Oct. 8. Tom Fletcher's recent column misrepresented the Sensible BC campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible BC is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 227 words]
Re: B.C. marijuana referendum misguided (B.C. Views, Oct. 9) Tom Fletcher's recent editorial misrepresented the Sensible B.C. campaign, and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible B.C. is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The Sensible Policing Act has four components, all carefully designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 258 words]
To the Editor, Re: B.C. marijuana referendum misguided, Oct. 10 Fletcher's column misrepresented the Sensible B.C. campaign and could lead to confusion about our efforts for a marijuana referendum. The ultimate aim of Sensible B.C. is to have B.C.'s marijuana industry regulated in a similar manner to wine. Our proposed legislation, the Sensible Policing Act, is designed to bring us closer to that goal. The act has four components, all designed to be within provincial jurisdiction. [continues 185 words]
Editor, The News: Re: Pot dispensary still a 'great concern' (The News, May 28). If Maple Ridge council is concerned about medical marijuana being grown in people's homes, then they should welcome the presence of a cannabis dispensary in their town. Most of the sick and dying people who need medicinal cannabis products would rather not have to grow their own medicine, just as those suffering from a severe infection would rather not have to produce their own homemade Penicillin. [continues 173 words]
In regards to the comment by Brendan Hanley, Yukon's medical health officer, that it is "impossible to grow new brain cells," he might wish to read up on the research. A widely reported study done at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon showed that cannabinoids spurred the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in November 2005. The lead researcher concluded that "marijuana appears to be the only illicit drug whose capacity to produce new neurons is correlated with its anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects." [continues 123 words]
Dear Editor: The U.S.-style drug war being promoted by Stephen Harper's neo-conservative government is a failed policy which will result in more crime, more disease, overcrowded prisons and clogged courts. It is time for a new approach. The police are the wrong agency to deal with the health and social issues around the use of psychoactive substances. However well-intentioned their efforts, it is prohibition itself which creates most of the problems it claims to solve. During alcohol prohibition, violent gang warfare between rival underground alcohol dealers was commonplace. We see the same thing happening now with rival drug dealers. Just as the police were unable to stop the violence then, they will be unsuccessful now. The only way to end the violence was to create a legal, regulated market for alcohol. [continues 53 words]
The United States-style drug war being promoted by Stephen Harper's neo-Conservative government is a failed policy that will result in more crime, more disease, overcrowded prisons and clogged courts. It is time for a new approach ["NDP declares federal candidate," April 25]. During alcohol prohibition, violent gang warfare between rival underground alcohol dealers was commonplace. Now, the same thing is happening with rival underground drug dealers. Just as the police were unable to stop the violence then, they will be unsuccessful now. [continues 254 words]
As the founder of End Prohibition, the group which purchased the ad on the back page of the NDP convention guide, I am upset by claims that accepting this ad was "hypocritical" of the NDP. Although it is true that the Saskatchewan NDP has worked to reduce tobacco use, this has been done without jailing any cigarette smokers. Locking up marijuana users is bad public policy, and we can best reduce any harms associated with marijuana use in a regulated, legal environment. Dana Larsen Larsen is president, End Prohibition. Vancouver [end]
Editor, The News: This is in regards to the editorial "Safety bill plants hurdle for grow-op crooks" (The News, May 16). This new "safety bill" does not define "excessive use" of electricity, which means that police can now enter any person's home without a search warrant, as long as they give 48 hours notice. This is clearly unconstitutional. What happens if the homeowner is on vacation when the initial notice of an impending search is tacked to their door? [continues 75 words]
This has never happened before -- that a Canadian citizen who faces no charges in Canada is being extradited to another nation for "crimes" committed on Canadian soil. This is a unique case, and one that will set a precedent for Canada's future ability to govern its own citizens under its own laws. If a human rights activist living in Canada was accused by Chinese officials of sending banned democratic literature to China, would our government hand over that Canadian citizen to China? [continues 188 words]
Regarding U.S. efforts to extradite Marc Emery to their nation for sending pot seeds by mail, there is absolutely no precedent for a Canadian citizen to be extradited to another nation when all his actions occurred in Canada, even if he is exporting to other nations with different laws. It is important to understand that this is a unique case, and one that will set a precedent for the future of Canada's ability to govern its own citizens under its own laws. [continues 125 words]
Imprisoned Pot Activist Discusses Prison Life and the Need to Change the Law. On Thursday, August 19, Cannabis Culture publisher Marc Emery was sentenced to 92 days in jail in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Emery had been convicted of trafficking because a witness saw him pass a joint in March 2004. Saskatoon Bust In the spring of 2004, Marc Emery launched a college speaking tour, with over a dozen dates planned on campuses across Canada. One of the last stops on his tour was the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon. [continues 1900 words]
