FEDS TO STAY TOUGH ON POT

Despite four former mayors of Vancouver and the current one, all
calling for the decriminalization of marijuana, Nanaimo-Alberni MP
James Lunney isn't impressed.

Sam Sullivan, Larry Campbell, Mike Harcourt and Philip Owen all
called for the legalization of marijuana in a joint statement
recently, citing growing gang violence related to the drug's
prohibition. They were later joined in the call by current mayor
Gregor Robertson.

In their letter, the quartet of former mayors said marijuana
prohibition "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," the letter said. "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."

Lunney was unmoved, however.

"We disagree with the former mayors," he said. "They have one
perspective, but a lot of Canadians have another perspective. People
rent out their houses only to have a grow-op in there and the house
is trashed. There are huge consequences to these crimes going on in
our neighbourhoods. We are going to make it tougher for anyone
dealing in drugs."