Media Coverage: Estimating the economic value of BC’s domestic cannabis market

On November 20, 2012 Stop the Violence BC announced findings from a recent paper, which estimates the domestic cannabis market to be valued at approximately $443-million to $564-million annually. Below you will find links to media coverage following that release.

November 20, 2012
Pot Study: BCers spend half-a billion a year on marijuana, The Province
BC’s marijuana market could generate $2.5billion in taxes over five years, Cannabis Culture
Marijuana debate relit in BC, 24 Hours
Regulated marijuana would reap hundreds of millions for BC, study says, The Globe and Mail
BC marijuana tax could net billions if pot legalized, CBC

November 21, 2012
Marijuana legalization could generate $2.5b for BC over five years: study , Metro News Legalizing pot could earn billions for BC: study, The Vancouver Sun
Legalizing pot could earn billions for BC: study, Calgary Herald
BC marijuana tax could net billions of pot legalized, CBC
Study delivers another blow to marijuana laws, Penticton Western News
New study says BC bud market worth $500 million per year, Thunderbird

November 22, 2012
Marijuana tax estimates based on doubling price of pot, Surrey Leader
Marijuana tax estimates based on doubling price of pot, TriCityNews
Marijuana tax estimates based on doubling price of pot, Abbotsford News

Infographics: Economic value of BC’s domestic cannabis market

A study published November 15th in the International Journal of Drug Policy showed that British Columbians spend upwards of $564 million annually on recreational marijuana.  To help making sharing the study easier, we’ve produced some infographics that you can share on social media and the internet. Please be sure to credit Stop the Violence BC.

Download the infographic click here.

Poll: How would you allocate funds derived from cannabis tax revenue.

Downloads: Report, Polling Data, News Release

A previously unreleased Angus Reid poll asked British Columbians how they would allocate funds under a provincial system taxing and regulating the adult use of cannabis.

  •  31% of British Columbians believe the most effective way to allocate funds derived from cannabis tax revenue would be toward drug prevention and addiction treatment
  •  Another 31% would allocate cannabis tax revenue to health care
  • 12% would allocate funds to drug law enforcement

The Angus Reid poll was commissioned by Stop the Violence BC (STVBC), a coalition of academic, legal, law enforcement and health experts concerned about the links between cannabis prohibition in B.C. and the growth of organized crime and related violence in the province. Since launching a year ago, STVBC has received high-profile endorsements from across the law enforcement, public health and political sectors, including the Health Officers Council of B.C., four former mayors of Vancouver and four former B.C. attorneys general.

To download a copy of these polling results, please click here.

 

New study challenges argument that BC’s cannabis market cannot be taxed

Downloads: Polling Data, News Release

Download the report from the International Journal of Drug Policy here.

British Columbia’s annual domestic cannabis market could be worth more than $500-million, according to a new study by a coalition of researchers from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

The study, published this month in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Drug Policy, is the first to estimate the size of B.C.’s domestically consumed cannabis market using provincial surveillance data. Researchers found that the estimated retail expenditure on cannabis by British Columbians was approximately $443-million to $564-million annually. The study concludes that regulating the provincial cannabis market could provide government with approximately $2.5 billion in tax and licensing revenues over the next 5 years.

Provincial policing agencies estimate that 85% of the cannabis market in B.C. is currently controlled by organized crime groups. Data on electrical power usage and from police raids suggest that the number of cannabis grow operations in the province nearly doubled between 2003 and 2010, further demonstrating the increasing involvement of organized crime groups in the domestic production and distribution of cannabis. This increase in gang activity has also corresponded with rising gang violence in the province, as the proportion of all homicides in B.C. attributable to gangs rose over 60%, from 21% in 1997 to 34% in 2009.

To download a copy of the study, please visit the International Journal of Drug Policy website here.

New Study Shows Potential Domestic Tax Revenue at $2.5 billion over next 5 years

British Columbia’s cannabis market could generate more than $2.5 billion in tax revenue over next five years

New study challenges argument that BC’s cannabis market cannot be taxed

Vancouver, B.C. [November 20, 2012] — Based on current consumption patterns, British Columbia’s domestic cannabis market could be worth more than $500-million annually, according to a new study by a coalition of researchers from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

Downloads: ReportPolling Data, Infographic

The study, published this month in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Drug Policy, is the first to estimate the size of B.C.’s domestically consumed cannabis market using provincial surveillance data. Researchers found that the estimated retail expenditure on cannabis by British Columbians was approximately $443-million to $564-million annually. The study concludes that regulating the provincial cannabis market could provide government with approximately $2.5 billion in tax and licensing revenues over the next five years.

“If you begin to stand back and calculate just how much potential tax revenue is instead going to fuel organized crime, it really highlights how we need to start questioning our current approach,” said Dr. Evan Wood, senior author of the study and Canada Research Chair in Inner City Medicine at UBC. “The results demonstrate how cannabis is such a highly lucrative and reliable source of income for organized crime, and that a regulated system in B.C. could generate significant tax revenue for services that actually address community health and safety.”

Provincial policing agencies estimate that 85% of the cannabis market in B.C. is currently controlled by organized crime groups. Data on electrical power usage and from police raids suggest that the number of cannabis grow operations in the province nearly doubled between 2003 and 2010, further demonstrating the increasing involvement of organized crime groups in the domestic production and distribution of cannabis. This increase in gang activity has also corresponded with rising gang violence in the province. In 2009, the RCMP reported 276 incidents of drive-by shootings in B.C.

“The enormity of B.C.’s illegal cannabis market demonstrates the failure of law enforcement efforts to rein in the illegal cannabis trade,” said Neil Boyd, Professor, School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. “B.C.’s cannabis prohibition laws have proven to be ineffective, instead fueling gang activity and violence in communities throughout the province and across our borders.”

U.S. ballot measures provide model for taxation and regulation of cannabis in B.C.
Two U.S. states, Washington and Colorado, recently passed ballot measures approving the legalization of cannabis for adult use under a strictly regulated system. In Washington, voters approved Initiative 502, which creates a 25% tax on the sale of cannabis, 55% of which would be directed to health care, 25% for drug abuse treatment and medication, 1% for cannabis-related research and the remaining 19% directed to general revenue. Estimates have suggested that the revenue generated under this system could exceed $500-million annually, potentially more than state revenues generated by either tobacco or alcohol.

A previously unreleased Angus Reid poll asked British Columbians how they would allocate funds under a provincial system taxing and regulating the adult use of cannabis.

  • 31% of British Columbians believe the most effective way to allocate funds derived from cannabis tax revenue would be toward drug prevention and addiction treatment
  • Another 31% would allocate cannabis tax revenue to health care
  • 12% would allocate funds to drug law enforcement

The Angus Reid poll was commissioned by Stop the Violence BC (STVBC), a coalition of academic, legal, law enforcement and health experts concerned about the links between cannabis prohibition in B.C. and the growth of organized crime and related violence in the province. Since launching a year ago, STVBC has received high-profile endorsements from across the law enforcement, public health and political sectors, including the Health Officers Council of B.C., four former mayors of Vancouver and four former B.C. attorneys general.

“B.C.’s law enforcement efforts have proven to be completely ineffective at reducing production and availability of cannabis to our youth, and have instead fueled gang activity and violence in communities throughout the province,” said Ujjal Dosanjh, B.C.’s attorney general from 1995 to 2000 and premier from 2000 to 2001. “When you look at the enormous potential to save on policing costs, raise government revenue and wage economic war on organized crime, you understand why U.S. states have recently taken the taxation and regulation approach.”

Dan Werb, lead author of the study and co-founder of the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy, said that while the recent ballot measures in the U.S. could impact the large export market of B.C. cannabis, the study shows that there will remain a significant domestic revenue stream that will continue to fuel organized crime across the province regardless of changes south of the border.

“We now know the degree to which prohibition has made the cannabis trade lucrative for gangs and, in turn, made our communities less safe,” Werb said. “From a public health perspective, we also know that making cannabis illegal has not achieved its stated objectives of limiting supply or impacting the level of cannabis use, particularly among young people. The sheer volume of the cannabis industry in B.C. suggests that our system of cannabis control has failed and that alternatives should be explored.”

  • To read the full paper, titled Estimating the economic value of British Columbia’s domestic cannabis market: Implications for provincial cannabis policy, please visit here.
  • To view the Angus Reid polling data, please visit here.

 

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About Stop the Violence BC

Stop the Violence BC is a coalition of law enforcement officials, legal experts, public health officials and academic experts from the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and the University of Northern BC. Coalition members have come together to engage all British Columbians in a discussion aimed at developing and implementing marijuana-related policies that improve public health while reducing social harms, including violent crime.

For a full listing of coalition members and to learn more about the coalition, please visit www.stoptheviolencebc.org/coalition-members/ .

Media: to speak with a member of the Stop the Violence BC Coalition, please contact:

Kevin Hollett
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
604 682 2344 ext. 66536
khollett@cfenet.ubc.ca

Sunny McKechnie
250 816 7610
Sunny.McKechnie@edelman.com

Media Coverage: Stop the Violence BC’s year in review and growing public support for regulation and taxation

On November 1, 2012 Stop the Violence BC released its year in review report, highlighting key accomplishments over the first year of the campaign. This release was accompanied by recent Angus Reid poll showing a shift in public support for regulating and taxing marijuana. Media coverage for the announcement can be found below:

November 1, 2012
News 1130
CKNW
RadioNL
CFAX
AM1150
CBC
News1130
CKNW
RadioNL

Vancouver Sun, “Three-quarters of British Columbians favour legalizing marijuana”
Global BC, “Three-quarters of British Columbians favour legalizing marijuana”
Victoria Times Colonist, “Three-quarters of British Columbians favour legalizing marijuana”
The Province, “Poll: BC residents want marijuana legalized”, http://bit.ly/TxCg3H
Metro, “Three-quarters of British Columbians support marijuana legalization: poll”
24 Hours, “New support for pot decriminalization”
CTV BC,
“Support for pot regulation grows to 75 per cent: poll”
CHBC (Kelowna), “Increased support for legalizing marijuana in Okanagan”
CHBC (Kelowna), “Change needed for cannabis laws: PHABC”
CKNW, “Survey says: Tax and regulate marijuana”
CBC, On the Coast
CFAX, The Adam Stirling Show
CKNW, The Simi Sara Show
CFAX, The Terry Moore Show
CTV, “Majority Support”
Global BC, “Regulate and Tax”
CHBC
CBC, “Power & Politics”

November 2, 2012
Prince George Citizen, “Lighten up on pot, poll says”
The Province, ” B.C.ers want pot legalized: Poll”
Metro, “75% back pot legalization: Poll”
24 Hours, “New support for pot decriminalization”

Nelson City Council passes resolution supporting UBCM’s call to decriminalize marijuana and study regulation and taxation

October 9, 2012 Nelson City Council debated and passed a resolution supporting the motion passed in September at the Union of BC Municipalities.  Moved by city Councillor Donna Macdonald, this was the second time Nelson council was debating a cannabis regulation and taxation motion. In early June, Nelson council entered into a heated debate on the issue and deferred the conversation until after UBCM.

Here is the full text of the resolution:

Decriminalization of Marijuana

WHEREAS costly cannabis prohibition efforts have failed to effectively limit the availability of cannabis, especially to our youth, and insteed has created a large financial opportunity for organized crime, fueling an increasing violent illegal market ; and

WHEREAS academic, law enforcement and health experts, including the Health Officers Council of BC, believe that a strictly regulated framework for cannabis control has the potential to reduce rates of cannabis use. raise substantial tax revenue for education and rehabilitation, undermine organized crime. and reduce law enforcement time and expenditures,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That Nelson City Council endorse UBCM resolution A5 (2012 Convention), which calls for the decriminalization of marijuana and for research on the regulation and taxation of marijuana, base on a public health approach, and

That Council’s support for this approach be communicated to the Provincial and Federal Ministers of Health and Justice, and to Stop the Violence BC.

The Marijuana Wars: A Police Officer Speaks Out

Credits: Director/Producer: Pete McCormack; Director of Photography: Mike Hawley; Music: Schaun Tozer; Sound: Ian Jones; Production Assistant and
Second Camera: Kieran McCormack; Big Special Thanks: Tara and Eric—Two Story Productions, Tavis Dunn, Stephen Green and Jonny Ross

Kash Heed, MLA and long-time member of law enforcement, is the first sitting provincial politician to join the Stop the Violence BC coalition. Help spread the word by sharing a link to this page: www.stoptheviolencebc.org/kash_heed.

 

About the Stop the Violence BC Coalition

The STVBC coalition includes law enforcement officials, legal experts, medical and public health officials and academic experts concerned about the links between cannabis prohibition in BC and the growth of organized crime and related violence in the province. They have come together to engage all British Columbians in a discussion aimed at developing and implementing marijuana-related policies that improve public health while reducing social harms, including violent crime.

What we do

Together, our members issue reports, do presentations, and produce a variety of other educational materials to help fuel a sustained, evidence-based public discourse. You can learn more about the work of the coalition here or by joining us on email, Facebook, or Twitter.

 

Media Coverage: Eight BC Mayors Endorse Stop the Violence BC

 

Menard, B.-S. (12/05/02). Immediate interest in mayors’ letter endorsing decriminalization of marijuana, Lake Country Calendar.
Letter some BC mayors; including James Baker; sent the province. (12/05/02). Lake Country Calendar.
news mention. (12/05/02). AM770.
news mention. (12/05/02). CTV2 Victoria.
news mention. (12/05/02). News1130.
news mention. (12/05/02). 630 CHED Edmonton.
news mention. (12/05/02). CKNW.
news mention. (12/05/02). Q103.1 Kelowna.
news mention. (12/05/02). Global Okanagan.
Morning News – mention. (12/05/02). Global BC.
Waters, A. (12/04.30). Kelowna mayors didn’t feel comfortable signing pro pot letter, Kelowna Capital News.
Brennan, R. (12/04/30). Tough laws not the answer for BC marijuana problem Vancouver councillor says, Toronto Star.
Waters, A. (12/04/30). Time for the rest of Central Okanagan’s mayors to speak out about pot prohibition, Kelowna Capital News
Emery, M. (12/04/30). Marijuana prohibition is under attack, The Vancouver Sun
Deadly competition to replace slain gangster predicted (12/04/30). CTVBC.
Rolke, R. (12/04/29). North Okanagan mayors protest pot prohibition, Vernon Morning Star.
You said it. (12/04/29). North Shore News.
Webb, K. (2012/04/27). Mayors at odds with BC leaders on marijuana legalization, Metro (Vancouver) (pp. 4).
Squire, J. P. (2012/04/27). Okanagan mayors send joint letter on pot, Kelowna Daily Courier (pp. A1).
Squire, J. P. (2012/04/27). BC mayors smoke out illegal marijuana trade, Penticton Herald (pp. A1).
Raptis, M. (2012/04/27). Eight mayors call for end to marijuana prohibition, The Province (pp. A4).
Nagel, J. (2012/04/27). Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform, Surrey Leader (pp. A1).
Gauk, M. (2012/04/27). Mayors push for pot legalization, Nanaimo Daily News (pp. 1).
Drewes, K. (2012/04/27). Mayors rally behind bid to decriminalize marijuana, The Globe and Mail (pp. S1).
Brennan, R. (2012/04/27). BC mayors push for marijuana legalization, Toronto Star (pp. A12).
Bolan, K. (2012/04/27). BC mayors join campaign to regulate marijuana, Vancouver Sun (pp. A8).
Alldritt, B. (2012/04/27). City council calls for pot regulation, North Shore News (pp. 1).
BC mayors want pot legalized. (2012/04/27). Edmonton Sun (pp. 12).
BC mayors want pot legalized. (2012/04/27). Calgary Sun (pp. 16).
Coalition of BC mayors say pot policy no place for partisan politics. (2012/04/27). Prince George Citizen (pp. 7).
Eight BC mayors back drive to regulate pot. (2012/04/27). Victoria Times Colonist (pp. A2).
BC mayors back move to regulate; tax marijuana. (2012/04/27). Kamloops Daily News (pp. B4).
(Editorial) Decriminalization is the best solution. (2012/04/27). The Province (pp. A18).
news mention. (2012/04/27). CTV Vancouver.
news mention. (2012/04/27). Global BC.
news mention. (2012/04/27). Global Okanagan.
news mention. (2012/04/27). CFTK Terrace.
news mention. (2012/04/27). Q103.1.
Mayors send joint letter on pot. (2012/04/27). Trail Daily Times (pp. 4).
news mention. (2012/04/27). CityTV.
news mention. (2012/04/27). CTV BC.
news mention. (2012/04/27). News1130.
BC mayors support campaign to regulate and tax pot. (2012/04/27). Alaska Highway News (pp. A3).
news mention. (2012/04/27). AM1150.
Mayors unite in pot fight. (2012/04/27). Metro (Vancouver) (pp. 1).
BC mayors support campaign to regulate and tax pot. (2012/04/27). Canada.com.
Tax marijuana; says BC mayors’ coalition. (2012/04/27). CBC.
Webb, K. (2012/04/26). Mayors at odds with BC leaders on marijuana legalization, Metro (Vancouver).
Scott, G. (2012/04/26). Mayors: The dope on regulating pot, Castanet (BC).
Rockcliffe, A. (2012/04/26). Mayors support regulation and taxation of marijuana, BCIT.
Quinn, S. (2012/04/26). On the coast, CBC.
Nagel, J. (2012/04/26). Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform, Surrey Leader.
Mui, M. (2012/04/26). Eight BC mayors call for pot reform, 24 Hours Vancouver.
Howell, M. (2012/04/26). Vision Vancouver pushes decriminalized pot, Vancouver Courier.
Gardner, S. (2012/04/26). BC mayors call for taxation and regulation of marijuana, CFAX.
Cole, Y. (2012/04/26). Eight BC mayors sign letter in support of marijuana legalization, Georgia Straight.
Brennan, R. (2012/04/26). Canada News: BC mayors want marijuana legalized, Toronto Star.
Bolan, K. (2012/04/26). More BC mayors join campaign to regulate and tax marijuana, Vancouver Sun.
Aynsley, M. (2012/04/26). Vancouver councillor calls on city council to support pot legalization, OpenFile Vancouver.
Mayors ask BC leaders to join call to end pot ban. (2012/04/26). CTV.
BC mayors support campaign to regulate and tax pot. (2012/04/26). Calgary Herald.
City of Vancouver to debate pot decriminalization. (2012/04/26). News1130.
BC mayors want marijuana legalized. (2012/04/26). Cannabis Culture Magazine.
(2012/04/26). CTV BC.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Agassiz-Harrison Observer.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Oak Bay News.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Tri-city News.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Maple Ridge News.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Langley Times.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Peninsula News Review.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). New Westminster News Leader.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Burnaby News Leader.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Saanich News.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Cloverdale Reporter.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Mission City Record.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Chilliwack Progress.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Aldergrove Star.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Campbell River Mirror.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). South Delta Leader.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Peace Arch News.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Alberni Valley News.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). North Shore Outlook.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Victoria News.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Cowichan News Leader.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Richmond Review.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Sooke News Mirror.
Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform. (2012/04/26). Vernon Morning Star.
(2012/04/26). CKNW.
Coalition of BC mayors say pot policy no place for partisan politics. (2012/04/26). Yahoo! News Canada.
BC mayors want pot legalized; urge government to support them. (2012/04/26). London Community News (Ontario).
(2012/04/26). RadioNL.
Laws need to be changed to end prohibition; BC mayors argue. (2012/04/26). Huffington Post.
Coalition of BC mayors say pot policy no place for partisan politics. (2012/04/26). GlobalBC.
Pot should be legal and taxed: BC mayors. (2012/04/26). National Post.
Pot policy no place for partisan politics; BC mayors tell province’s leaders. (2012/04/26). The Globe and Mail.
(Editorial) Decriminalization is the best solution. (2012/04/26). The Province.
Rolke, R. (12/04/29). North Okanagan mayors protest pot prohibition, Vernon Morning Star.
You said it. (12/04/29). North Shore News.
Fuller- Evans, J. (12/04/27). Pot prohibition supports ‘Al Capon-like figures’ Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan says, Burnaby Now.
Abshire, J. (12/04/27). BC mayors back legalized pot: Does it influence your view? , News1130.
Coalition of BC mayors say pot policy no place for partisan politics. (12/04/27). Whitehorse Daily Star.
Webb, K. (12/04/26). Mayors at odds with BC leaders on marijuana law, Metro News.
Nagel, J. (12/04/26). Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform Surrey North Delta Leader.
Good, B. (12/04/26). Bill Good Show, CKNW.
(12/04/26). Radio NL.

City of Vancouver Passes Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Motion

On Tuesday, May 1st Vancouver City council unanimously passed a motion supporting Stop the Violence BC and calling for a public health-based, regulatory approach to cannabis taxation and control.

To read the text of the motion click here, or on the image to the right.

Media Coverage:

Menard, B.-S. (12/05/02). Immediate interest in mayors’ letter endorsing decriminalization of marijuana, Lake Country Calendar.
Letter some BC mayors; including James Baker; sent the province. (12/05/02). Lake Country Calendar.
news mention. (12/05/02). AM770.
news mention. (12/05/02). CTV2 Victoria.
news mention. (12/05/02). News1130.
news mention. (12/05/02). 630 CHED Edmonton.
news mention. (12/05/02). CKNW.
news mention. (12/05/02). Q103.1 Kelowna.
news mention. (12/05/02). Global Okanagan.
Morning News – mention. (12/05/02). Global BC.
Luba, F. (12/05/01). Vancouver politicians call for end to pot prohibition, The Province.
Brennan, R. (12/04/30). Tough laws not the answer for BC marijuana problem Vancouver councillor says, Toronto Star.