CHAMBER TAKES SHOT FOR POT

P.G. Proposal Asks B.C. Chamber to OK Need for Weed

The Prince George Chamber of Commerce advocated for the legalization
of marijuana at the B.C. Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting on
Monday.

The Prince George chamber proposed a two-part resolution for the B.C.
Chamber to advocate for marijuana legalization and stronger
enforcement of money laundering laws to combat organized crime. After
lengthy debate, an amended form of the motion only dealing with money
laundering failed to achieve the 67 per cent support needed to pass.

"There is a huge, vicious cycle when it comes to organized crime,"
Prince George chamber vice-president Tracy Peterson said. "In 2006 the
B.C. Progress Board also suggested this would be a way to reduce
organized crime."

In 2009, the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
reported 68 per cent of drug related offenses were related to marijuana.

In the same year, municipalities in B.C. spent $885 million on police
services.

Peterson said the rising costs of gang-related activity is a financial
burden to local, provincial and federal governments - and in turn a
tax burden on business.

In addition, the crime associated with marijuana grow operations grow
operations can have a direct negative effect on business in the form
of increased property crime, the Prince George chamber stated in its
report to the B.C. chamber. Proceeds from the estimated $6 billion
illegal trade in marijuana is funneled into other legal and illegal
operations.

Peterson urged delegates at the B.C. Chamber AGM to support the money
laundering portion of the resolution.

"I do understand that this is a controversial issue," Peterson said.
"[But] the money laundering has an impact on business. When someone
can walk into a casino with $420,000 in twenties and walk out with
legal money, that's a problem."

Delegates voted 189 in favour of the money-laundering portion of the
resolution, and 159 against. Because the vote did not meet the
two-thirds approval requirement the motion was defeated.

B.C. Chamber vice-president of policy development Jon Garson said the
policy committee supported Prince George's call for marijuana
legalization.

"The discussion at the policy committee was just as vigorous as it was
here," Garson said. "The major concerns are the war on drugs keeps
getting worse and worse. Look at what's happening in Mexico. I commend
Prince George for having the courage to bring this forward."

The proposal was a debate worth having, Garson added.

However, not all delegates thought so.

"My concern is the B.C. chamber has limited resources. Let's not kid
ourselves, Stephen Harper's government is not going to consider this,"
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce vice-president Mike Welte said.

Delegates from border communities and Victoria raised concerns about
increased delays and screening at the U.S. border.

Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce chairman Richard Rainey said supporting
marijuana legalization would be a public relations disaster for the
chamber.

"For us to use those words in this forum... if were to pass this, that
would be the headline tomorrow," Rainey said.