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B.C. police and academics call for pot legalization
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By: ctvbc.ca
Date: Thursday Oct. 27, 2011 2:15 PM PT
A new coalition of B.C. health care professionals, academics and police are mounting a push to legalize the sale of marijuana, arguing the prohibition against pot is driving gang violence in the province.
Stop the Violence BC coalition members come from a wide range of high-profile groups and institutions, including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Centre for Addictions Research BC, Providence Health Care, Vancouver Coastal Health and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
A retired BC Supreme Court Justice and a retired RCMP Chief Superintendent have also lent their names to the cause.
There are more than 430,000 marijuana users in B.C., the coalition claims, and the massive profits the drug generates fuel a violent ongoing turf war that claims dozens of lives every year.
RCMP statistics show the per cent of B.C. homicides attributable to gangs has risen from 21 in 1997 to 34 in 2009. Dr. Evan Wood of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS says it's time to rethink the way authorities handle pot in the province.
"We know that making marijuana illegal has not achieved its stated objectives of limiting marijuana supply or rates of use," Wood said in a statement.
It's time to focus on "how to decrease violence, remove the illicit industry's profit motive and improve public health and safety," he added.
The group will be releasing a series of reports aimed at putting pressure on politicians to legally regulate marijuana sales, and polls suggest they have plenty of support from British Columbians.
An Angus Reid survey commissioned by Stop the Violence found 69 per cent of respondents in favour of taxing and regulating pot over arresting producers and sellers. Only 39 per cent support minimum prison sentences for marijuana-related crime, including possession of six or more plants, and a full 87 per cent attribute gang violence in the province to marijuana prohibition.
Only 12 per cent said they were in favour or maintaining current marijuana laws.
Have your say: Are Canadian politicians lagging behind the public on marijuana policy?
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Comments are now closed for this story
Tom |
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Find out why more and more cops, judges, and prosecutors who have fought on the front lines of the "war on drugs" are standing up and saying we need to legalize and regulate all drugs to help solve our economic, crime, and public health problems: http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com |
Jake |
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The justice system in this province is a laughing joke at best already. Taking pot out of the equation will help unclog this inept system. It will generate huge revenue for the govt at a time when it's desperatly needed. It would help to fund things like our medical system, our education system and least of all this impotent justice system. If clark and the rest of these snake bite love liberals drop the ball on this one, it shows they really are out of touch with the 21st century. |
Bob Sedin |
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There may be a lot of politicians who would like to legalize marijuana but they may see it as political suicide to do so. |
JD |
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I am 60 year old NON-pot smoker and I say legalize it soonest! Then sell it only thru government liquor stores and tax the crap out of it and that way we we also take the violent gangs business interests out of it. The cost of trying to enforce this outdated law is draining our already dwindling resources for other more pressing needs. Who cares what the Americans are pressuring you to do, please do it soonest Mr. HARPER! |
Tom in Calgary |
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It really is the only rationale approach. If we want to move it the same direction as smoking, this is the way to go. |
Whoa nelly ! |
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The only reason that pot has become so popular is because of the legal indifference shown to the law breakers using pot. Next, of course, are the millions of dollars that the pot industry generates for the economy in BC. Pot money buys housing, vehicles, etc. and is, in many respects, a great economic generator. The fact that it is illegal has become irrelevant in light of the economic stimulus pot production represents in BC. So how do you regulate the substance? Like alcohol? Taxed and sold by the government at the liquor stores? What's the age limit for legal pot pssesion? How about people growing their own once the substance is legalized? Do you fine or just tax home growers? How do you regulate being under the influence of pot while driving? Treat stoned drivers like drunk drivers? What test would you use to ascertain the driver's level of intoxication? Blood tests are the only current way to ascertain the amount of THC in the blood and you just know that BC Civil Liberties would have a field day with that invasive procedure! Would all the regulations surrounding pot really put the gangsters out of business or would they just increase their efforts in other areas like Ecstacy, Crack, etc.? This is a very slippery slope and the way forward is heavily obscured by the haze of uncertainty. Beware of the next step. |
Vancouverite |
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If the weak minded did the right and responsible thing and not use this illegal drug, then this wouldn't be an issue. Who's next, cocaine users? |
devils advocate |
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Guaranteed it would be the biggest cash crop the government ever laid its greasy little fingers on. Put it in then same category as alchol/tobaco and tax the product, let anyone produce it but require sales be done through approved outlets. The extra revenue could then be used to help Police pursue real criminals and bring them to justice. I can't think of a bigger or more sensible win/win. Just like with alcohol a smal minority of users will overconsume and have issues but then you can target them with penalties for criminal offenses such as impaired driving or treatment for addiction issues. This would be undeniably superior to trying to control the vast majority of users who will cause no concerns to anyone in the pursuit of their private, responsible enjoyment. |
Diane in Langley |
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Since we now have safe injection sites, lets legalize prostitution and of course pot. It's too much trouble to fight so lets just pretend that life on the fringe is totally safe and acceptable. The only problem is the cost. We'll spend less time and money trying to prosecute those who sell it illegally and we'll spend more time trying to hold our families together because it's our sons and daughters will become the victims of this decision. Will it be my daughter in this ligitimized brothel or son who enjoys pot so much and suffers from anxiety attacks or a total lack of initiative in his life. Maybe we should keep going and add heroin to the mix while we're at it. We could save a fortune there! Sometimes you just have to sort out what's important in life and family needs to be put back in the mix as a priority. |
wake up |
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vancouverite VERY WELL PUT ........some people don't seem to be able to deal with day to day life unless they are under the influence of some kind of drug |
Experienced User |
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I don't know why any self-respecting pothead would want to put their high in the government's hands. The profits from weed sales will never be in reality what they are on paper because once legal and taxed, the price of weed will be too much for some users and they'll have to quit. And as sales decrease, price will increase, and more people will have to quit. That's why illegal cigarette sales are booming--illegal is cheaper. There will always be illegal trade, the government will simply be one more dealer, and the highest priced dealer. Potheads don't wanna go to jail for enjoying a joint after work, understandable, so decriminalize, don't legalize. Decriminalize, and keep the government off your high and out of your wallet. |
K.I.S.S., Kelowna |
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I really don't think it will make a difference if you legalize it or not as far as drugs and gangs go. You will still have gangs involved in (other) drugs and you'll have a lot more people driving under the influence of pot than you do right now. Also, pot stays in your system for days and if legalized, people would just be continuously stoned. I wouldn't want to send my child to school and know that her teacher is out have a pot smoke break at recess. It's really best to leave it alone. |
Canadian |
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@Jake...how exactly would it generate huge revenue when most people will either grow it themselves (through wasted electricity or smelling up the neighbourhood) or buying it from a friend who is growing it. Where exactly would the tax be paid on this? Through the honour system? The vast majority will not pay more for their fix and will come up with a myriad of excuses to do so. Ever hear of cigarette smuggling? Then you have the health concerns associated with this illegal drug...inhaling smoke (which most addicts do) damages your lungs...medical costs go up. And if you don't get a satisfactory high, which is why addicts use this illegal drug, you go to a stronger strain or a harder drug. The Dutch are now labelling some strains of marijuana as a hard drug. So how is legalizing it going to be a "good thing"? Would it not be better to seek treatment for the addiction and just get off drugs? |
Jim-Surrey |
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Oh here we go, drunks kill when driving so now we let potheads drive? Now that is safe!!! |
it's a win win |
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You mite as well we have (insite a safe injection site) place to do illegal drug like heroin and well your at it lets open a red light district and with no more fight against drug we can lay off a how bunch of donut wranglers and save money it’s a win win for BC. The Liberals are already known, as liars they might as well be known as drug dealers but remember don’t smoke a cigarette |
Steven334 |
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Weed down, next stop, meth and shrooms. |
Will Rock |
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@WOAH NELLY- there is lithmus tests which can be preformed very easily by police. Crack and other harder drugs will not "fill the hole" pot leaves behind because most people dont want to do those drugs. Pot on the the other hand is very popular. |
Vic Guy |
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Vancouverite: Weak minded? Please.During alcohol prohibition, were the thousands of Aristocrats, Politicians, Scholars etc... who regularly flaunted the law and drank weak minded? Hell no, they knew a bogus and opressive law and stood against it. The parallels between alcohol prohibition and marijuana prohibition are incredible. |
MortimerSnerd |
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...the use of MJ is no different than tobacco... anyone who smokes either is an idiot, but you shouldn't be a criminal for one but not the other....legalize it and now |
Cody |
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The vast majority of participants in the black market for illegal drugs are transacting in marijuana, buying and selling it. If we legalize and regulate marijuana similar to the way alcohol is controlled, we will shrink the black market for illegal drugs to a tint fraction of its current size. It will hurt organized crime, not only by depriving them of billions in revenue, but also by depriving them access to the millions of people buying pot on the black market. It will make it harder for them to move the hard stuff. And come on, there really aren't many people waiting for marijuana to be legal so they can finally smoke it. Most who want to smoke it already do, and all the worries about people driving high and so on may be valid, but the vast majority of people who would be doing these things are already doing them. We have no control over marijuana and won't until we regulate it. Then at least we'll have some control over who produces it, sells it, who it can be sold to, etc. |
Will Rock |
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ok, clearly alot of Conservatives in this forum. Listen guys, alchahol prohabition was already proven to be a bad idea. The reality is that for as many people that drink casualy, there are almost as many smokers. For people concerned for their children's well being you have to understand something. The guy working at a convienience store is not going to sell weed to a 13 year old kid. However the sad fact is my dealer would. Thats the point here people, even if you hate weed and believe what people say about the negative side effects, you have to agree that alot of people use. Because of this you have to support a better system to regulate its distribution. I wont even mention the fact of the immense revenue stream it creates. |
Alex McIntosh |
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Canada is following a failed USA policy on Pot. All the law enforcement efforts have not stopped or curtailed the use of pot. What it has done is make growing it lucrative to illicit growers.While making it legal will not stop some of the negative fall out for users such as driving under the influence. What it will do is stop the gang violence associated with the current laws as the financial incentive to grow it will have evaporated. There is no panacea for this issue but the current situation is the worst possble and expenssive approach. |
Jeffrey M |
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That will be a great idea., but I am not hopeful we have some one in power(Stephen Harper) that has a huge problem with two word(common sense) I do not have a problem making these so called maga jails, We will need them in future to put all his crew in them LOL |
Louisbourg Lobster |
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I am 50 and have tried it for the first time. It is absolutely no worse than having a few drinks. Same rules should apply, legalize it and get rid of the gangs and thugs who will dwindle away. Great revenue for the Gov't in their time of need. |
52 yr old female pot smoker with Fibromyalgia |
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YES! YES! YES!Please let this happen! I find pot the only way to take the edge off my chronic pain and fatigue.I have never understood, why everyone is so against a plant, that is such a wonder drug to so many people who suffer day to day. The Government is stupid not to sell and tax it, why do think all the gangs have soooo much money?It's time to move out of the dark ages on this, even Queen Victoria used pot for menstral cramps! Where do I sign up to support this? |
SmilingChaos |
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Oh come on people... "Why not make cocaine or heroin legal now" ... give me a break. Pot is not a narcotic and no worse for you than alcohol or cigarettes which are already legal. Should we ban them too? label smokers drug addicts? maybe we should make caffiene illegal too....many people use that daily.... would you call them addicts too? are they unsafe to have in our society. Get real! People living in a free society should be able to decide what goes in their body, not the gov't or anyone else. Yes - regulate! Yes - have anti pot smoking while driving laws. Yes... let us make our own decisions and suffer our own consequences, just like smokers and drinkers are allowed to do. Thank you! |
Terry |
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It makes no sense at all to continue prohibition. Legalize it and end this senseless, costly war on our citizens. Did we not learn anything from alcohol prohibition? If bible thumpers/pollyanna's want to take up a war on a destructive drug they should turn their attention to alcohol which is much more destructive . I guess they don't want to put down their drink so that they can do that. |
RWR |
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"Prohibition make anything precious" - Mark Twain |
Philip |
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My thoughts are to not legalize it, but de-criminalize it. This would mean that police could ticket for minor possession, and you could still have growing it as a criminal offence. The best way to get rid of any drug problem is to get rid of the users. If you get rid of the customers, then there is no market for the product. |
Vancouverite |
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Um, who said the criminal element are going to go away? They have the experience and know-how and will still grow it and sell it through the black market and yes, not pay taxes. Would you buy pot legally paying 3-4 times more (doing the right thing and paying taxes) or from the black market? The cops will go from busting illegal grow ops to busting people for growing it to avoid paying taxes. Nobody sees this? |
Donna Thompson Penticton BC |
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If only 12% of Canadians are for keeping the current marijuana laws, then, they are a minority, and everyone knows that majority rules! |
BC999 |
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I smoke pot every day and defy anybody to prove I am idiot. |
Alecia T |
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Personally, I have no idea why people like to walk around smelling like a rotting skunk corpse but I guess that's the cool thing to do. All the people in here complaining about more people smoking pot once it's legalized are obviously lacking scent and blind. I am from Abbotsford and from the time I was in high school (over 10 years ago) to now working in sales with customers that riek like a nasty butt/bud, everyone who wants to smoke it... ALREADY DOES! You can buy it at the gym, in our schools, in the mall, in a park... you get the idea. Disgusting and stupid, yes but reality, also yes. |
Inducted Kitty |
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I completely agree that governments have NO business in our personal lives. As mature adults who are tax paying citizens living in a free society, we should have a choice of what we put into our own bodies. As long as we aren't hurting others or damaging their property, we should be treated as sovereign people who only answer to common law. If we are free to make our own choices, the outcomes of those choices will be ours alone to own. Legalize it, regulate it and tax it. End this farce of a War on Drugs, because it isn't a war on drugs at all! It is a War on People! |
Ben-Hur |
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I think street drugs or anything intocating should not be illegal for adults what-so-ever. We choose what we consume. Allow drugs such as pot, cocaine, etc. to be completly unregulated. The exception is not allowing children to use drugs or drink alcohol, but if they do, hold the parents accountable. I "legally" can ingest acid if I so choose, so who cares about anything other product. We should be free to drink, eat, smoke, inject anything we want. It's our bodies. Just like seatbelts, who the hell cares if I wear one. It's my life. If I can't afford medical services, let me die. It was my choice... Don't tell me what to do if the only person I am hurting is me. |
Andy |
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Smart move...yes, lets legalize pot because we the courts cannot solve the mess we let happen over the years, so if you can't beat them, join them by becoming legalized drug dealers and let everyone get high, with more people realizing they can now access it and sell it to make money, lets make it easier now for kids to get it....The only thing that will happen will be the gangs simply adapting to a different drug. So will the government just legalize those too? And the idea that the government wants more money from legalizing drug dealing (which is really what it will be), is a bad idea. It will create so many new problems. The legal system and courts are a absolute joke which is why they are in this mess. Penalties should be extreme which would then help act as a deterant. The courts have no guts to get serious. These pot gatherings in the city, I always see deals going down in the crowd and even kids smoking it. |
comanci3 |
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Hey Diane in Langley you and people like you would benifit the most from legalized pot. If you smoked you wouldn't be so uptight and you're outlook would improve immensely. Also, I hate to break this to you but prostitution is not illegal in Canada. You should get out more. |
Darlene |
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65 years old, never, ever tried pot. But I have always said....legalize it. Tax it. Maybe, just maybe, lower personal income tax!!!! Sweet deal for all!!! |
leftwingpinko |
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way past time for this. all drugs should be legalized. growing marijuana should be legal, and the hard drugs should be controlled. over-taxing would be counter-productive - look at the illegal sales of cigarettes!! |
Tom Major in Criminolgy Minor in Psychology |
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The legalization of pot takes the easy funding away from gangs. Gangs are not afraid of harder sentences as we have seen down south already. Gangs are known to transport weapons into BC and harder drugs. Pot is known to be used as a method to finance these other transactions. If pot is legalized the value of pot will crash not increase. The profit margin will disappear in BC. The smart hydro metering will resolute rest of the bigger problems |
Azaelea |
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As sufferer of MS who purchases legally it for pain control, I say it's about time that more politicians stopped being so worried about their political futures and find the guts to say "enough is enough" & simply make marijuana legally available through government venues and take it out of the hands of the criminals. But I bet there are a lot of big pharamceutical companies who aren't big on it being sold by government as they'd lose out on sales of painkillers to the average person using it dor pain control because it really works for pain when nothing else doesIt's time to stop the insanity; wasting so many of our stretched legal resources on chasing the criminal elements dealing in pot. |
Elise |
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I don't smoke anything. But I meet disabled people with chronic pain conditions or terminal cancer and they are medical marijuana users. Pot takes their pains away. My uncle suffered horrible pains as his cancer spread all over his body for two years before he died. He begged my mother to kill him when she visited. Despite the morphine dispenser unit, he suffered severely. He would have needed medical marijuana, but that time it was not acceptable. I would not want to see anyone to suffer from severe pains. Legalization with a limit of less than 5 kg at home and in public less than 10 grams. If the set limits are exceeded collect money in form of high fines and jail term. This separates the gang grow ops from people, who may cultivate for their own use or medical organic marihuana for others. |
Legalizenow |
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I agree with legalizing it and getting the taxes from it. Then they go after the really bad stuff like cocaine, meth etc. I will so however that I would never buy it from a government source. I would not trust them to not mess around with it (lower THC level etc.). I would still go to my own source or grow it myself. Then I would know where it came from, what chemicals were used and ensure that it was flushed properly before cropping. Punishing people for weed is ridiculous. |
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