Discussing marijuana legislation before it drifts across border
Voters in the states of Washington and Colorado may have approved legislation allowing recreational use of marijuana for adults, but some people in Kelowna believe it could open a potful of problems if B.C. follows suit.
"I just think that by passing a law like that, it's just asking for trouble," said Sandi Illingworth, a business owner from Kelowna.
Citing increased revenue to the province through taxation, the possibility of legalization in Canada has received a fair amount of support. Former B.C. Attorney General Geoff Plant came out in favour of marijuana's decriminalization and says he's optimistic that Canada will eventually relax its laws. Former Solicitor General and Vancouver police officer Kash Heed, now a B.C. MLA, also has thrown his support behind such a measure.
An Angus Reid report revealed 75 per cent of B.C. residents believe that the government should legalize the use of marijuana and tax it. It's estimated that the marijuana industry in B.C. is worth $6 billion.
Still, many say they're uncomfortable with legalization and are skeptical of the notion that it would drive organized crime out of the drug business.
"I think it causes harm," said Rob Davidson of Kelowna. "I don't think it would solve the problem of gangs and crime. It probably would (generate revenue for the province), but I don't know that that's the best way to go about it."
"They're looking for tax breaks for criminals," Sandi Illingworth said. "Where are the tax breaks for the law-abiding citizen?"
Still, others are of the opinion that marijuana legalization in B.C. is past due, that the government is dragging its feet by waiting when pot sales are such a potential cash cow.
"I'm surprised they legalized it before we did," said Richard Graham of Kelowna. "It's all over the place, anyway. (The existing law) doesn't stop the criminal elements. You can get tax money from it, so I don't see why not."
It all may well be a moot point in Washington and Colorado. They passed the measure in defiance of federal law. The U.S. Department of Justice considers marijuana an illegal drug that can be and is abused and says its enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged.
Although supporters of the bill say they plan to negotiate with the feds, the prevailing feeling among legal experts is that the measure could become caught up in the courts for years.
— John Sleeper
jsleeper@infotelnews.ca
(250)718-0428
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