LEGALIZED POT WON'T STOP GANG CRIME

Decriminalizing marijuana may rid the city of a few illegal pot
growing operations but Mayor John Ruttan doesn't believe it will
reduce gang activity.

Four former Vancouver mayors endorsed a coalition that wants to end
pot prohibition which they blame for rampant gang violence.

Larry Campbell, Mike Harcourt, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen all signed
an open letter to B.C. politicians Wednesday that claims 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," and
creates "violent, gang-related crime" that feeds public fear and
drives up policing costs.

While Ruttan has only one vote on council, he's not convinced
decriminalization will stop gang violence. The letter went to MPs,
MLAs and city councillors 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.

"I think they are probably right in some respects," Ruttan said. "It
would see a reduction in crime, certainly in the sale and distribution
of marijuana but at this time I'm still not supportive of it in
principle. To me a drug is a drug and those people involved in the
sale and distribution of drugs will just go on to hard drugs, cocaine
and heroin."