MLA Joan McIntyre joins Kash Heed, calls for regulation and taxation

Posted on October 18, 2012 by mmontaner

– This is not an official Stop the Violence BC Press Release; reprinted with the permission of MLA Joan McIntyre –

BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT CAUCUS
STATEMENT

For immediate release
October 18, 2012

VICTORIA – Today, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre released the following statement in support of Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Kash Heed’s call for the legalization and regulation of marijuana.

“I join my colleague MLA Kash Heed in support of the legalization of marijuana. Like MLA Heed, I believe that ending the prohibition of marijuana will make our communities safer by taking the industry out of the hands of organized crime. Kash Heed and other experts, such as Dr. Julio Montaner and Dr. Evan Wood of the organization, Stop the Violence BC, believe that marijuana prohibition increases gang violence in our province – violence which does not take place in a silo, but rather on the streets of our communities, putting B.C. families at risk.

“Prohibition has required a substantial investment in our police services, and places a heavy financial burden on the taxpayer. I believe, as my colleague Kash Heed does, that it draws police resources and capacity away from other, more pragmatic areas which would make our communities safer.

“In spite of the dedicated efforts of our police in B.C., a war on drugs only serves to drive organized crime further underground; it fails to end the cycle of violence and drug use, but succeeds in draining our coffers.

“I believe we need a paradigm shift from prohibition to one of regulation and taxation, making B.C. safer for us all.”

-30-

Media contact: Mark Knudsen, BC Government Caucus Communications, (250) 356-1539

The Marijuana Wars: A Police Officer Speaks Out

Posted on October 18, 2012 by eapaul

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.

Kash Heed calls for the regulation and taxation of marijuana

Posted on October 18, 2012 by mmontaner

BC MLA speaks out against marijuana prohibition in short film, joins Stop the Violence BC

CLICK HERE FOR THE FILM

Vancouver, BC [October 18, 2012] — Kash Heed, a long-time law enforcement official and MLA, is calling for the legalization and taxation of cannabis to better protect communities and reduce related organized crime activity resulting from the illegal marijuana trade.

In a video and written statement released today, Kash Heed shared his experiences about the devastating consequences of cannabis prohibition, based on his 31 years in law enforcement as a beat cop, a police chief, and head of both the Vancouver Police Department Drug Unit and Indo-Canadian Gang Violence Task Force.

“In the early 1990s, I began to fully recognize the futility and the social, economic and public health costs of continuing marijuana prohibition,” wrote Heed in the statement. “And I came to one inescapable conclusion—cannabis prohibition fuels gang violence in B.C. In fact, costly law enforcement efforts have only served to drive the marijuana industry deeper into the hands of violent organized crime groups.”

In his statement, Heed announced that he is joining Stop the Violence BC (STVBC), a coalition of academic, legal, law enforcement and health experts, and its campaign to reform cannabis laws to reduce the harms associated with the illegal cannabis trade, including gang violence. He joins a growing list of endorsements that includes a coalition of B.C. mayors, the Health Officers Council of B.C., four former mayors of Vancouver and former B.C. attorneys general. His statement follows the passing last month of a Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) resolution calling for the decriminalization of cannabis.

“It shows real political courage that Kash Heed, as a sitting member of a provincial legislature, has decided to speak out against these failed laws,” said Geoff Plant, who served as B.C. attorney general from 2001 to 2005. “It’s time for the rest of our political leaders to follow his lead and act on the overwhelming evidence linking marijuana prohibition to organized crime and gang violence.”

Kash Heed is the MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview. He is urging his current and former colleagues to improve community health and safety by overturning marijuana prohibition.

“I plan to use my remaining time in office to reach out to our provincial leaders and ensure that replacing cannabis prohibition with a more effective public health and safety strategy becomes a part of the public debate in the next provincial election,” said Heed. “Despite the effort to pass the buck to the federal government, this is a provincial issue—organized crime has been fuelled by B.C.’s failed marijuana policies, leading to gang violence, destructive grow-ops and easy access to marijuana for youth in each and every one of our communities.”

The video was produced and directed by Pete McCormack, an award winning filmmaker based in Vancouver.

“Evidence against marijuana prohibition is staggering: police fight impossible odds and the current approach is hypocritical, a tax-paying sinkhole that causes unintentional yet very real collateral damage and violence. And for what?” said McCormack. “To get the chance to interview Kash Heed, who has been right there in it, was inspiring to me as a filmmaker. If this video can influence other politicians’ and inspire contemporary drug policies, that would be amazing.”

Media can download the Kash Heed video here.
Watch the video here.
Read the full Kash Heed statement here.

– 30 –

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 click here.

For more information about Stop the Violence BC or to interview a coalition member, please contact:

Kevin Hollett
604 682 2344 ext 66536
[email protected]

News coverage of the UBCM Convention’s vote on cannabis policy reform

Posted on September 29, 2012 by mmontaner

Here is a summary of media coverage pre-UBCM:

CBC On the Island interview with coalition member Geoff Plant
AM770’s The Rutherford Show interview with coalition member Chris Fibiger
Victoria Times Colonist article: “Changes to marijuana law moves closer”
The Province article: “Cannabis laws back on agenda”; also appears in Victoria Times Colonist
Nelson Star article: Pipelines and pot on table as Nelson goes to UBCM”
Victoria Times Colonist article: “Disclosure wanted on medical marijuana”
Canadian Press article re: Monday’s debate Dr. Evan Wood, former Attorney General Geoff Plant, and BC Constable David Bratzer: “BC marijuana laws: Pro, Anti-pot forces square off at UBCM”; also appears in Canada.com, Huffington Post, Global News, iPolitics, Kamloops News, Guelph Mercury, Waterloo Region Record

News following Monday’s debate included:

Broadcast stories on CFAX, CTV Victoria, CHEK News, OMNI TV, CFTK
Vancouver Sun article: “Municipal leaders take pot decriminalization to a vote”
Kamloops Daily News article: “Marijuana rules aimed at municipalities”
Prince George Citizen: “Politicians begin pot debate”
Castanet.com article: “Decriminalizing marijuana?”
The Province brief: “Morning brief”
Keremeos Review article: “UBCM kicks off with debate on marijuana”
Victoria Times Colonist op-ed by coalition members Evan Wood and Geoff Plant: “Decriminalization of pot will disarm gangs”

And finally, a rundown of coverage following Wednesday’s vote:

Vancouver Sun front page story: “BC mayors vote to decriminalize pot: that was the easy part”; story also appears in Windsor Star, Calgary Herald, Times Colonist
Metro article front page article: “Mayors vote pro-pot”
CTV Morning Live Thursday (broadcast across BC) interview with Dr. Evan Wood
CBC’s The Current (broadcast nationally across CBC radio one) live interview with Dr. Evan Wood
The Globe & Mail article: “BC municipal leaders vote to work toward decriminalizing marijuana”; story also appears in The Province, Canada.com, Calgary Herald, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Victoria Times Colonist column: “Pot resolution sets BC on a new path”
CBC News article: “Adrian Dix delivers key address to municipal leaders”
Metro News article: “Emery high on UBCM marijuana motion”
Nelson Daily article: “Vote for decriminalization of pot splits delegates at UBCM convention”
Kelowna Daily Courier article: “Pot vote passes, but Valley politicians say ‘no'”

For more information about the UBCM Convention vote, debate, and responses since please click here.

Miss the UBCM debate? Here are three ways to catch up

Posted on September 28, 2012 by mmontaner

1. Notes from Twitter

We were live tweeting the debate (i.e., posting quotes from the debate on Twitter in real time) for people following along elsewhere. For an overview of the speakers’ remarks and public response, click here.

2. Reflections from Geoff Plant

Former Attorney General and
STVBC Coaltion Member Geoff Plant spoke on behalf of the Stop the Violence Coalition and took some time after the fact to summarize his thoughts about marijuana decriminalization vs. regulation, hisopponents remarks, and what Resolution A5 means for BC. Click here to be taken to his blog.

3. Context from the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition

dThe Canadian Drug Policy Coalition was in attendance on Monday and watched closely as the weeks events progressed. For their perspective on the debate and policy discussion more broadly click here.

UBCM passes resolution to decriminalize cannabis, study regulation and taxation

Posted on September 26, 2012 by mmontaner

B.C.’s mayors and councilors recognize that marijuana prohibition fuels organized crime

Vancouver, BC [September 26, 2012]—The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) voted today in favour of a resolution calling for the decriminalization of cannabis at its annual convention.

Resolution A5, brought forward to the annual convention by the municipality of Metchosin, calls for UBCM to lobby the appropriate level of government to decriminalize cannabis and research its regulation and taxation.

“For too long our communities have borne the brunt of the harmful consequences of cannabis prohibition, from increased gang violence on our streets to enormous costs of enforcing a thoroughly discredited policy,” said Metchosin mayor John Ranns. “This vote result signals that it is time for our senior levels of government to listen to what the public and now our municipal leaders are saying: cannabis prohibition has been a failure.”

With the passing of the resolution, UBCM joins a growing chorus of high profile British Columbians calling for the end to cannabis prohibition, including eight current B.C. mayors, the Health Officers Council of B.C., four former mayors of Vancouver, and four former B.C. attorneys general.

“Today’s vote to support the decriminalization of cannabis and research its regulation and taxation reflects our commitment as municipal leaders to fiscal discipline and community health and safety,” said City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, whose council passed a motion supporting the regulation of cannabis this past April. “Easy access to cannabis for our youth, grow-ops that fuel organized crime in our communities and the growing costs of enforcing failed marijuana policies are ample reason to re-examine cannabis prohibition.”

The vote followed a marijuana decriminalization debate that opened the UBCM convention on Monday. Among those speaking was Dr. Evan Wood, co-director of the Urban Health Research Initiative at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and founder of Stop the Violence BC, a coalition of academic, legal, law enforcement and health experts campaigning to reform cannabis laws to reduce the harms associated with the illegal cannabis trade, including gang violence.

“Prohibition has not achieved its stated objectives to reduce the demand for and supply of cannabis. Instead, current laws have resulted in negative social and economic consequences at the municipal and provincial level,” said Dr. Wood. “I commend our municipal representatives for showing leadership in taking steps towards changing a policy that has clearly failed to protect the health and safety of our communities.”

Dr. Wood added that the call to research the regulation and taxation of cannabis is a key part of the UBCM resolution.

“We believe that deregulation is only the first step in working towards a strictly regulated, taxed market for adult marijuana use,” he said. “Research to date indicates that a system of strict regulation will best impede the illegal market for marijuana and combat the organized crime gangs that profit from it.”

– 30 –

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 click here.

For more information about Stop the Violence BC or to interview a coalition member, please contact:

Kevin Hollett
604-682-2344 ext 66536
778-848-3420
[email protected]

Media Coverage: Eight BC Mayors Endorse Stop the Violence BC

Posted on May 3, 2012 by eapaul

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.

Media Coverage: Health Officers Open Medicine Paper, “Improving community health and safety in Canada through evidence-based policies on illegal drugs “

Posted on April 2, 2012 by eapaul

On March 28, 2012 provincial health officers from British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, along with Stop the Violence BC coalition member Dr. Evan Wood released a paper in Open Medicine calling for the reevaluation of current drug law enforcement practices.

For complete media coverage listing, please see the links below.

Print and Online

Radio

Zandbergen, R. (12/03/29) CBC. Kelowna.
White, D. (12/03/29) CBC. Whitehorse.
Veinnotte, T. (12/03/29). The Todd Veinnotte Show News 95.7. Halifax.
Updike, L. (12/03/29) CBC. Winnipeg.
Turnbull, J. (12/03/29) CBC. Sudbury.
Sara, S. (12/03/29). Simi Sara Show CKNW. Vancouver.
Roberts, J. A. (12/03/29) CBC. Victoria.
Lederhouse, C. (12/03/29) CBC. Regina.
Castle, P. (12/03/28) CBC. New Brunswick.
Burris, D. (12/03/28) News1130. Vancouver.
Brown, P. (12/03/28) CBC. Edmonton.
Breakenridge, R. (12/03/28). The Rob Breakenridge Show QR77. Calgary.
Blades, T. (12/03/28) CBC. St. John’s.
Bains, M. CBC. Vancouver.
(12/03/28) AM770. Calgary.
(12/03/28) AM640. Toronto.
(12/03/28) 660 News. Calgary.
(12/03/28) CKNW. Vancouver.
(12/03/28) News 91.9. Moncton.
(12/03/28) News 88.9. St. John’s.
(12/03/28) CFAX 1070. Victoria.
(12/03/28) Radio NL. Kamloops.
(12/03/28) Newstalk 980. Regina.
(12/03/28) Fairchild TV. Vancouver.
(12/03/28) NewsTalk650. Saskatoon.
CFAX Live. (12/03/28) CTV2. Victoria.
Hill, A. (12/03/28). Saskatoon doctor endorses call for evidence based drug policy News Talk 980 CJME.
(12/03/28)CBC Radio One
(12/03/28)CBC Radio One the Link
(12/03/28)CBC Radio One St. John’s
(12/03/28)CBC Radio One Regina,
(12/03/28)CBC News,
(12/03/28)CBC Radio One Edmonton,
(12/03/28)CBC Radio One Charlottetown,
(12/03/28)CBC Radio One Calgary.
(12/03/28) Radio Canada. National.
(12/03/28) Radio Canada. National.
On the Coast. (12/03/28) CBC. Vancouver.
(12/03/28) CBC. Montreal.
(12/03/28) CBC. Halifax.
(12/03/28) CBC. Victoria.
Early Edition. (12/03/28) CBC. Vancouver.
(12/03/28) CBC News Network. National.
(12/03/28) CBC. Winnipeg.
The National. (12/03/28) CBC. National.
Poll: Should marijuana be taxed and regulated in Canada? (12/03/28) CBC.ca.
Branswell, H. (12/03/28). Public health leaders criticize Ottawa’s ideology based drug policies 680News. Toronto.

Television

Karim, N. (12/03/29). Decriminalize pot, say docs CTV Morning Live. Vancouver.
House, T. (12/03/29). National News Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. National.
Hartland, L. (12/03/28) CTV. Victoria.
(12/03/28) CHEK. Victoria.
(12/03/28) Global Maritimes. Halifax.
(12/03/28) Global News. National.
(12/03/28) Global BC. Vancouver.
Question Period. (12/03/28) CPAC. National.
Rethinking Canada’s drug policy. (12/03/28) CTV Canada AM. National.
(12/03/28) V Tele. Montreal.
(12/03/28) CBC Maritimes. Halifax.
(12/03/28) OMNI News. Toronto.
(12/03/28) CTV Morning Live. Winnipeg.
(12/03/28) Global Saskatoon. Saskatoon.
(12/03/28) CTV2. London.
(12/03/28) CTV. Calgary.
DiBattista, L. (12/03/28) CBC. Toronto.
(12/03/28) CTV News Channel. National.
More calls for legal pot. (12/03/28) CTV. Vancouver.
(12/03/28) CTV. Halifax.
Call for ban of illicit drugs. (12/03/28) CTV. National.
Ottawa’s ideology-based drug policies under fire. (12/03/28) CTV News.
Pemberton, K. (12/03/28). B.C’s chief medical officer latest to support legalizing pot Global BC.
Branswell, H. (12/03/28). B.C.’s top medical officer wants pot decriminalized CTV News.
Ottawa’s drug policy under fire from health providers. (12/03/28) CTV News.
Branswell, H. (12/03/28). Public health leaders criticize Ottawa’s ideology based drug policies CityTV Toronto. Toronto.
Branswell, H. (12/03/28). Public health leaders criticize Ottawa’s ideology based drug policies Global Maritimes. Halifax.
Branswell, H. (12/03/28). Public health leaders criticize Ottawa’s ideology based drug policies Global Toronto. Toronto.
Branswell, H. (12/03/28). Public health leaders criticize Ottawa’s ideology based drug policies Global News.
Branswell, H. (12/03/28). Public health leaders criticize Ottawa’s ideology based drug policies Global Saskatoon. Saskatoon.
Ottawa’s ideology based drug policies under fire. (12/03/28) CTV. Montreal.

Media Coverage: Stop the Violence BC in Kelowna

Posted on March 12, 2012 by eapaul

On March 1st, Stop the Violence BC held two public forums on Stop the Violence BC featuring coalition members David Bratzer, Chris Fibiger, David Kennedy and Dr. Evan Wood.

David Bratzer On CHBC Evening News

Dr. Evan Wood On Castanet News

Print Media Coverage

Michaels, K. (12/03/01). Kelowna to hear legalization argument, Kelowna Capital News.
Open Line with Phill Johnson (12/03/01). AM1150.
Daybreak South. (12/03/01). CBC.
Pot law draws fire. (12/03/01). Daily Courier
Michaels, K. (12/03/01). Kelowna to hear pot legalization argument, Kelowna Capital News
War on drugs blamed for gang violence (12/03/01). CHBC Global Okanagan
Pot law draws fire. (12/03/01). Daily Courier.
Daybreak South. (12/03/01). CBC
Open Line with Phil Johnson. (12/03/01). AM1150.

Media Coverage: Four Former Mayors Endorsement

Posted on December 15, 2011 by eapaul

On November 24, 2011 Stop the Violence BC received an endorsement from four former mayors, Sam Sullivan, Larry Campbell, Philip Owen and Michael Harcourt.

Print and Online

Radio

11/11/25 The Current CBC
S. Sara Philip Owen and Sam Sullivan interviewed on Simi Sara show CKNW
D. White 11/11/23 Former mayors call for legalized marijuana News1130
11/11/23 Four former Vancouver mayors say “legalize it” CKNW AM 980
11/11/23 Four former mayors say “legalize it” CKNW
Television

11/11/25 Morning news – Mayor marijuana tweet Global BC
11/11/25 Robertson joins calls for end to pot prohibition CTV
11/11/25 Robertson joins calls for end to pot prohibition CTVBC
11/11/25 4 former Vancouver mayors urge govt to change pot laws CTV News
11/11/25 Robertson joins call for end to pot prohibition CTV News
11/11/25 Robertson joins calls for end to pot prohibition CTV News
11/11/24 Vancouver Mayors back marijuana legalization and Stop the Violence Global News
11/11/24 Should marijuana be legalized in Canada? CBC
11/11/23 4 former Vancouver mayors urge gov’t to change pot laws CTVBC
K. Bolan 11/11/23 Four former Vancouver mayors call for end to pot prohibition Global BC
11/11/23 Former mayors call for pot legalization Global BC