After the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities convention vote to support decriminalizing marijuana, Merritt Mayor Susan Roline and the majority of councillors said they back the idea. Roline returned to Merritt last week after the four-day convention in Victoria from Sept. 24 to 28, where the union voted in favour of a resolution to decriminalize pot. "I think we're spending far too much money in our province on people with simple possession, people who are growing for their own use," she said. [continues 706 words]
The first court appearance for former Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Stuart Seib was pushed from Feb. 21 to May 23. Crown spokesman Neil MacKenzie said his office is in the process of assessing the RCMP investigative report. "Crown decided it would be appropriate to conduct the review before the court date," he said. "If charges are approved, we have to go through disclosing Crown evidence to the accused." The Crown is slated to read the charges against Seib at the court appearance. Seib then has the option to make a plea. [continues 130 words]
Pot Activists Look For Leader As the leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party, Marc Emery faces extradition to the United States. That leaves the future of the grassroots cannabis-fueled lobby group in doubt. But according to a local weed activist, the charge could spark further publicity for possible pot legalization. As Mik Mann smoked a marijuana joint in his home Monday, he noted that the five-year sentence faced by Emery for mailing seeds to buyers has created a catalyst among those who want anti-pot laws ousted. [continues 494 words]
