FORMER MAYORS PUSH FOR LEGAL POT

Marijuana: Prohibition Of Drug, The Group Writes, Leads To Illegal
Trade And Violence

Four former Vancouver mayors "" Larry Campbell, Michael Harcourt, Sam
Sullivan and Philip Owen "" released a letter on Wednesday, urging
the province's politicians to legalize and regulate marijuana use in B.C.

Prohibition only leads to illegal trade and gang violence, the former
mayors said.

"oeMarijuana prohibition is "" without question "" a failed
policy," the letter states.

"oeIt is creating violent, gang-related crime in our communities and
fear among our citizens, and adding financial costs for all levels of
government at a time when we can least afford them. Politicians
cannot ignore the status quo any longer, and must develop and deliver
alternative marijuana policies that avoid the social and criminal
harms that stem directly from cannabis prohibition."

According to the former mayors, anti-cannabis strategies have failed
to reduce the drug's availability to young people.

They said that B.C.'S illegal marijuana trade may be worth up to $7
billion annually, and that a legally regulated market for marijuana
would reduce usage as well as address organized crime by "oestarving
them of this cash cow."

"oeThis massive illegal market drives violence in communities
throughout the province," they wrote. "oeNew thinking, new policies
and collaboration across party lines are required to protect our
communities and make them safer."

The former mayors cited in their letter a recent Angus Reid poll,
commissioned by the Stop the Violence B.C. coalition, that indicated
a majority of British Columbians believe that chasing and arresting
marijuana producers and sellers is ineffective.

Politicians should listen to British Columbians and change marijuana
policies, the former politicians said.