Marijuana campaigners an eighth of the way there

VERNON – Support is growing for a referendum on marijuana.

Vernon’s Boyd Goble, an organizer for the local Sensible B.C. campaign, says signatures are stacking up.

“So far our numbers are 641 and rising,” Goble says, noting they need around 5000 at the end of the three month period. “That's with just 10 canvassers reporting.”

If signatures from ten per cent of registered voters in all of B.C.’s 85 ridings can be collected in time, the Sensible Policing Act will go to referendum. The act would direct police to stop spending time or resources on searching, seizing or arresting anyone for simple cannabis possession.

“We have some active canvassers already out in the community and will be adding more,” Goble says.

Signed sheets can be dropped off at Kush Organics in Vernon. You can also sign at Gateway Healing Arts in Lumby or at the Cherryville Farmers Market on Saturdays. Businesses interested in having a sign up table can contact Goble at 250-540-8046. The group is also looking for a vacant storefront, which they can afford to pay utilities for but not rent, to set up in.

“If any kind property owners want to help us out we would really appreciate it,” Goble says.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.