COALITION PUSHES FOR POT TO BE REGULATED

Nanaimo's new medical health officer is supportive of a push to
regulate marijuana distribution like tobacco, to reduce gang violence
and to make the drug less accessible to young people.

Stop the Violence Coalition B.C, says taxing pot would be better than
the billions of dollars spent on enforcement.

SVCBC created headlines in the fall when four former Vancouver mayors
signed a letter favouring its position.

The organization released a report today showing pot is cheaper,
stronger and more widely available since prohibition, based on
government's own statistics and an Angus-Reid public opinion poll
showing wide support for decriminalization.

The coalition of health professionals, police, legal experts and
academics is not pushing for decriminalization of the so-called harder
drugs, speed, cocaine or heroin.

"Our current approach to drug policy, to get tough on crime and make
it even more of a criminal offence hasn't worked," said Dr.

Paul Hasselback, who became the medical health officer in Nanaimo in September.

Hasselback speaks as chairman of the Health Officers Council of B.C.,
which recently voted unanimously for SVCBC's position.

A recent poll found 82% of British Columbians consider marijuana less
harmful than tobacco.

Data from Canadian and U.S. governments indicates rather than reducing
drug use, a 40-year, $1-trillion war on drugs has produced cannabis
42% more potent and easier for youth to buy than cigarettes.

It is in the report How Not to Protect Community Health and Safety.

A federal crime bill could give automatic jail sentences for
possession of five pot plants, but SVCBC advocates a regulatory
approach using proven mechanisms "that have been used to reduce
tobacco use," in B.C., said Evan Wood, a SVCBC member.