EDITOR,
Here's what it's like on the front lines of the marijuana petition drive. There is plenty of support. About 70 per cent of those asked will sign. Some have heard of the campaign and have been looking for an opportunity to support it; they stop their cars and run through traffic to sign up. Others are cautious and need to read all the literature. Everyone has an opinion. We get heated discussions, insults, rejections and the occasional, "marijuana users should all be shot." Many think that B.C. has already decriminalized small amounts of marijuana possession. This misconception is held by those living in urban areas like Vancouver, where the police turn a blind eye. We point out that over the past eight years arrests have almost doubled in B.C. and even more stringent laws are being enacted. For instance, medical marijuana users must destroy all their plants by next March and the minimum sentence for possession of more than five joints is now a mandatory six months in jail. Then, to add insult to injury, anyone with a drug conviction cannot enter the United States for the rest of their lives. Ironically, just across the border in Washington State, any adult will soon be able to walk into a store and buy marijuana the way we can buy alcohol. These are some of the injustices and conflicts that most voters are already aware of.
It surprised us to learn that the best informed and most supportive of our campaign were over 60. Young folks are generally apathetic because they don't see a threat. Parents of teenaged children objected most strongly and we can understand their concern, but our campaign has nothing to do with permitting children to indulge. Some folks were paranoid about putting their name on a petition; this included convicted pot smokers who had been arrested years ago and had not been able to visit the U.S. Others had received an official pardon and could now cross the border, but recent federal legislation has put an end to that.
In contrast to the liberalization of marijuana laws in several states, the Harper government has been on a jihad to increase sentencing and has stripped many of the concessions formerly allowed medical users. Dozens who signed our petition had medical marijuana prescriptions for ailments ranging from cancer to lupus; their testaments were poignant and touching, with several claiming they had tried every other medical option and had finally found relief.
This is a subject that polarizes and angers. Even scientists are conflicted, with one researcher finding it harmful and another claiming it will cure all ailments. It is doubtful that these conflicts will easily be resolved but it requires the public's attention and that is why Sensible B.C. is trying to get a referendum enacted. All we ask for is a referendum so the public can review the facts and decide whether to continue spending tens of millions prosecuting adult users of a substance that is arguably less harmful than alcohol.
Tony Holland and Claire Lansdell
Campaigners,
Sensible B.C.
WEST VANCOUVER
