EX-VANCOUVER MAYORS BACK CALL FOR END TO POT PROHIBITION

VANCOUVER - Four former Vancouver mayors have endorsed a coalition
calling for an end to pot prohibition in Canada that they blame for
rampant gang violence.

Larry Campbell, Mike Harcourt, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen all
signed an open letter to politicians in B.C. Wednesday that says a
change in the law will reduce gang violence.

The former mayors support the position of the Stop the Violence B.C.
coalition, which recently released a survey showing most B.C.
residents favour an end to the current marijuana laws.

The letter says "marijuana prohibition is - without question - a
failed policy."

"It 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," the letter says.

The letter was sent to MPs, members of the provincial legislature and
city councillors and is designed to drive debate on new marijuana policies.

"It is unconscionable, unacceptable and unreasonable that the
criminal element in B.C. is allowed to grow and thrive in B.C. due to
inaction on the part of the politicians," said Sullivan, who served
12 years as a city councillor before being elected mayor of Vancouver in 2005.