Re: Esquimalt considers ban on bong stores (News, Sept. 11)
Victoria News recently reported that “Esquimalt caused uproar from the pro-marijuana community” in regards to a motion I brought forward last spring about mascots.
That is a completely unsubstantiated statement. A more accurate account would be that it created a fleeting frenzy from the media rather than any “uproar” from marijuana advocates.
Esquimalt is not in any conflict with “the pro-marijuana community.” I, too, am an advocate for the decriminalization and eventual legalization of marijuana as a fully regulated and age-restricted product as with tobacco and alcohol.
While I do not use marijuana myself, I have no problem with any adult who does use it or needs to use it for medicinal purposes.
In fact, I have advocated for its decriminalization for the past 20 years, beginning with my university research in the failure of prohibition and the criminal activity that has flourished as a result. Hence, I will be signing the petition in support of a decriminalization referendum.
Progressive municipalities, such as Esquimalt, understand the social change that is occurring and the need to update our business bylaws to ensure marijuana usage is restricted to adults and, as with tobacco and alcohol, is not accessible to children and youth.
Coun. Tim Morrison
Township of Esquimalt