In a symbolic gesture meant to send a message to the federal government, Metchosin councillors said they support decriminalizing marijuana, except for one.
Coun. Larry Tremblay is worried about councilB次元官网网址檚 image.
B次元官网网址淚 am one of the few who have never tried it,B次元官网网址� Tremblay said at a committee meeting Monday. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l probably go down as the Neanderthal in Metchosin who doesnB次元官网网址檛 support it, but I donB次元官网网址檛 want to down as the pothead council of Metchosin.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚n my view this is long overdue,B次元官网网址� countered Coun. Bob Gramigna. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e tried it, not here in Metchosin and IB次元官网网址檝e lived here for 15 years, but letB次元官网网址檚 get real folks.B次元官网网址�
Coun. Moralea Milne, chair of the finance and environment committee, had the issue added to the committeeB次元官网网址檚 agenda. Milne argued the illegality of marijuana is responsible for criminal behaviour, such as mouldy, unsafe grow-op houses and the theft of electricity.
B次元官网网址淚 think it should be released and taxed like alcohol,B次元官网网址� Milne said. B次元官网网址淲e need to bring some sanity to our lawmaking. The problem with marijuana is a failed policy.B次元官网网址�
While Milne admits to trying marijuana in her younger days, says she hasnB次元官网网址檛 touched it in 40 years. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a personal issue for me, itB次元官网网址檚 a social issue,B次元官网网址� she said.
Milne became inspired to bring the issue to Metchosin council after attending the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in September.
Typically, UBCM members vote each year on a resolution on giving police more power to fight grow-ops, and each year it is defeated.
Milne put on a talk about the failed war on marijuana. B次元官网网址淚 know itB次元官网网址檚 in a federal jurisdiction but it needs politicians to change their minds,B次元官网网址� Milne said.
B次元官网网址淚t was astounding ... she got the largest ovation,B次元官网网址� noted Coun. Jo Mitchell.
MetchosinB次元官网网址檚 motion came on the heels of the Health Officers Council of B.C. endorsing a call to decriminalize and tax marijuana due to the public health risk from criminal activity.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just a bunch of pot-smoking hippies saying this,B次元官网网址� Milne said.
The finance committee passed a motion to bring the issue to council. If council endorses the legalization motion, it will be passed on to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a tough question, but obviously what weB次元官网网址檝e been doing hasnB次元官网网址檛 worked,B次元官网网址� said Mayor John Ranns. B次元官网网址淚 fear organized crime more than just about anything.B次元官网网址�
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
