A pro-marijuana advocacy group has released the results of a survey it issued to B.C. political parties last month.
The results show B.C. Greens and the B.C. NDP support a provincial research trial into the taxation and regulation of marijuana, while the B.C. Liberals say the issue should be handled by the federal government. The B.C. Conservatives did not respond to the survey, but leader John Cummins has publicly said the issue is the responsibility of the federal government.
Stop the Violence B.C., a lobby group comprised of law enforcement and health officials, legal experts, academic professionals and current and former politicians, conducted the survey after a public opinion poll suggested 73 per cent of B.C. residents want the province to take action on cannabis regulation.
“To suggest the federal government would have to initiate a research trial is a completely inaccurate statement,” said Kash Heed, former B.C. Liberal solicitor general, in a statement. "With all the grow-ops and prohibition-related violence that is ongoing in B.C. communities, provincial politicians cannot continue to bury their heads in the sand and pass the buck to the federal government.”
The group argues a regulated marijuana market would improve public health and safety by taking the drug out of the hands of criminal organizations and allow government to develop a message for its responsible use by adults.
The proposed research trial is already being designed by Dr. Evan Wood, Canadian research chair of Inner City Medicine at the University of B.C.
"Especially now that Washington State has moved to tax and regulate adult cannabis use, B.C. must begin to research these types of alternatives," Wood said.
Sensible B.C. is also advocating for marijuana reform and organizers hope to gather the 500,000 signatures needed for a referendum on decriminalization beginning in September.
dpalmer@vicnews.com