Poll: Results reflect political inaction, voter skepticism

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Although politicians are elected to lead, a new poll shows that British Columbians have little faith that politicians can design policies that effectively reduce criminal, health and social harms stemming from the illegal marijuana trade. The Angus Reid poll shows that just 32% of British Columbians trust municipal politicians to develop effective marijuana policy. Trust in federal and provincial politicians is even lower – at 28% (federal) and 27% (provincial).

Meanwhile, far more British Columbians say they distrust municipal (62%), provincial (69%), or federal (68%) politicians to design policies to effectively reduce harms stemming from the illegal marijuana trade.

The Angus Reid poll was commissioned by STVBC, a new coalition of academic, legal, law enforcement and health experts. Last month, STVBC released the first of a series of reports and polling results aimed at pressuring politicians to legally regulate marijuana sales under a public health framework.

Polling results released today show that British Columbians have much more trust in scientists and the police than politicians to design constructive policies to deal with harms related to the illegal marijuana trade. Sixty-eight percent of British Columbians trust scientists to design such policies and have similarly high trust in their local police forces (66%) and the RCMP (65%).

In fact, 55% of those polled who voted Conservative in the last federal election say they distrust the ability of federal politicians to design effective policies. In addition, a significant majority of British Columbians stated they are dissatisfied with the way politicians—at the federal (78%), provincial (78%) and municipal (73%) levels—are responding to the problems stemming from the illegal marijuana industry in British Columbia.

British Columbians also want their politicians to open a dialogue around reducing the harms of marijuana prohibition. Fifty-six percent of British Columbians polled said they would have a more favourable opinion of a politician who promised to have experts and interested citizens design and evaluate a new marijuana strategy for British Columbia aimed at reducing harms of marijuana prohibition, and 29% said it would make no difference. Only 6% said this promise would lead to a less favourable opinion.

Angus Reid polling results released last month showed a mere 12% of British Columbians support keeping current marijuana laws in place and 77% of British Columbians disagreed that marijuana possession should be a criminal offense.

[button link=”https://stoptheviolencebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Stop-the-Violence-BC-Poll-Summary-Nov-23-FINAL1.pdf” color=”orange”]Download Summary[/button]

Former Vancouver Mayors Urge Politicians to Reconsider Marijuana Laws and Stop Gang Violence

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Larry Campbell, Michael Harcourt, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen Endorse Bipartisan Effort to Overturn Prohibition and Reduce Related Crime

November 23, 2011 [Vancouver, Canada] – Four former Vancouver mayors have endorsed the Stop the Violence BC (STVBC) coalition and its call to overturn marijuana prohibition and reduce the harms associated with the illegal marijuana trade, including gang violence.

Larry Campbell, Michael Harcourt, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen signed and released an open letter to MPs, MLAs, and municipal mayors and councilors in British Columbia today. The letter notes the gang-related violence stemming from marijuana prohibition, and challenges politicians to consider alternative proposals – including legalization and regulation – that would increase taxes to government, remove the illicit profits and market incentives that lead to gang violence, and eliminate costly jail and criminal sanctions against non-violent citizens.

“Marijuana prohibition is – without question – a failed policy,” write the mayors. “It is creating violent, gang-related crime in our communities and fear among our citizens, and adding financial costs for all levels of government at a time when we can least afford them. Politicians cannot ignore the status quo any longer, and must develop and deliver alternative marijuana policies that avoid the social and criminal harms that stem directly from cannabis prohibition.”

The mayors’ letter calls for politicians to open and help drive debate on new marijuana policies, identifying this as an important step in engaging British Columbians in a policy discussion recent polling data show they are ready for.

“It is unconscionable, unacceptable and unreasonable that the criminal element in B.C. is allowed to grow and thrive in B.C. due to inaction on the part of the politicians,” said Sam Sullivan, who served 12 years as a city councilor before being elected mayor of Vancouver in 2005. “Politicians must play a key role the development of new policies that can really provide safer, stronger communities.”

Poll results reflect political inaction, voter skepticism

Although politicians are elected to lead, a new poll shows that British Columbians have little faith that politicians can design policies that effectively reduce criminal, health and social harms stemming from the illegal marijuana trade. The Angus Reid poll shows that just 32% of British Columbians trust municipal politicians to develop effective marijuana policy. Trust in federal and provincial politicians is even lower – at 28% (federal) and 27% (provincial).

Meanwhile, far more British Columbians say they distrust municipal (62%), provincial (69%), or federal (68%) politicians to design policies to effectively reduce harms stemming from the illegal marijuana trade.

“Although British Columbians do not trust their politicians to lead the way on effective marijuana policy, politicians must prove the public wrong,” said Larry Campbell. “Politicians have tremendous access to information, expertise and the levers of power, and must use all of the tools at their disposal to fight gang violence by implementing rational marijuana policies.”

The Angus Reid poll was commissioned by STVBC, a new coalition of academic, legal, law enforcement and health experts. Last month, STVBC released the first of a series of reports and polling results aimed at pressuring politicians to legally regulate marijuana sales under a public health framework.

“These poll results reinforce the fact that British Columbians are way ahead of those they have elected in recognizing the destructive outcomes from marijuana prohibition,” said Dr. Evan Wood, a member of the STVBC coalition and Director of the Urban Health Research Initiative at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. “It’s time politicians of all stripes consider the gang violence and criminal activity resulting from marijuana prohibition, and enact policies that reflect the desire of British Columbians for change.”

Polling results released today show that British Columbians have much more trust in scientists and the police than politicians to design constructive policies to deal with harms related to the illegal marijuana trade. Sixty-eight percent of British Columbians trust scientists to design such policies and have similarly high trust in their local police forces (66%) and the RCMP (65%).

“Constituents in British Columbia are demanding change on marijuana policy but don’t trust their politicians to positively enact it,” said Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion. “The lack of trust in politicians on this issue cuts across the voting spectrum and includes voters for all political parties, including those who supported the Conservatives in the last federal election.”

In fact, 55% of those polled who voted Conservative in the last federal election say they distrust the ability of federal politicians to design effective policies. In addition, a significant majority of British Columbians stated they are dissatisfied with the way politicians—at the federal (78%), provincial (78%) and municipal (73%) levels—are responding to the problems stemming from the illegal marijuana industry in British Columbia.

British Columbians also want their politicians to open a dialogue around reducing the harms of marijuana prohibition. Fifty-six percent of British Columbians polled said they would have a more favourable opinion of a politician who promised to have experts and interested citizens design and evaluate a new marijuana strategy for British Columbia aimed at reducing harms of marijuana prohibition, and 29% said it would make no difference. Only 6% said this promise would lead to a less favourable opinion.

Angus Reid polling results released last month showed a mere 12% of British Columbians support keeping current marijuana laws in place and 77% of British Columbians disagreed that marijuana possession should be a criminal offense.

“Unfortunately, developing an alternative to marijuana prohibition is an issue in search of political leadership even though British Columbians clearly say that prohibition does not work and new policies have the potential to generate widespread public support,” said Michael Harcourt.

Philip Owen agreed. “It’s time politicians listened to their constituents and woke up to the possible benefits of a new legalization, regulation and taxation regime.”

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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/about-us/

For quotes from coalition members, photos and links to videos of coalition members speaking about the report, please visit www.stoptheviolencebc.org/coalition-members/

About Angus Reid Public Opinion

Angus Reid Public Opinion is the Public Affairs practice of Vision Critical headed by Dr. Angus Reid: an industry visionary who has spent more than four decades asking questions to figure out what people feel, how they think and who they will vote for.

Media: to receive polling results and talk to Mario Canseco, Dr. Evan Wood, other members of the Stop the Violence BC Coalition, or the former mayors please contact:

Crystal Reinitz
Edelman
604.623.3007 ext. 301
[email protected]

[button link=”https://stoptheviolencebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Letter-from-Mayors-Nov-23-2011.pdf” color=”orange”]Download Letter[/button] [button link=”https://stoptheviolencebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Stop-the-Violence-BC-Poll-Summary-Nov-23-FINAL1.pdf” color=”orange”]Download Poll Results[/button]

Letter From Former Mayors

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November 23, 2011
From: Sam Sullivan, Michael Harcourt, Larry Campbell, and Philip Owen
To: All B.C. MPs, MLAs, Mayors and Councillors

Re: Call to Action – Marijuana prohibition and its effects on violent crime, community safety, and the health and well-being of our citizens

As former Mayors of the City of Vancouver, we are asking all elected leaders in British Columbia to speak out about the ineffectiveness and harms of cannabis prohibition.

Marijuana prohibition is – without question – a failed policy. It is creating violent, gang-related crime in our communities and fear among our citizens, and adding financial costs for all levels of government at a time when we can least afford them. Politicians cannot ignore the status quo any longer; they must develop and deliver alternative marijuana policies that avoid the social and criminal harms that stem directly from cannabis prohibition.

Among the most pressing issues is the contribution that cannabis prohibition has made to organized crime and gang violence. The Fraser Institute has estimated that B.C.’s illegal cannabis trade may be worth up to $7 billion dollars annually. This massive illegal market drives violence in communities throughout the province. New thinking, new policies and collaboration across party lines are required to protect our communities and make them safer.

Unfortunately, research and practical experience from Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere clearly demonstrates that increasing anti-cannabis law enforcement strategies will not reduce the availability to young people. Cannabis prohibition has failed globally. While we fully recognize that marijuana is not without health-related harms, the failure of cannabis prohibition to reduce the availability of the drug to young people requires an urgent and novel response.

We agree with the Stop the Violence BC coalition and the criminologists, economists, lawyers, law enforcement and public health experts under its umbrella: we must move from a violent unregulated market to a strictly regulated cannabis market that is based on a public health framework. We believe a legally regulated market for adult cannabis use has the potential to reduce rates of cannabis use while at the same time directly addressing organized crime concerns by starving them of this cash cow. A regulated market would enable governments to improve community health and safety while at the same time raising millions in tax revenue.

The time for action is now. A recent Angus Reid poll demonstrated that 69% of British Columbians believe that chasing and arresting marijuana producers and sellers is ineffective and that British Columbians would be better off taxing and regulating the adult use of marijuana. We fully agree.

Clearly, elected officials are out of step with their public on marijuana prohibition. It is time that elected officials enter the debate and deliver specific proposals to address the easy availability of cannabis to youth and the organized crime concerns stemming directly from cannabis prohibition.

If you agree, please step forward, join this call for change and add your influential voice to the debate. In addition, we encourage you to notify Stop the Violence BC of your endorsement so that they may profile your support and adjust their education efforts accordingly.

If you disagree, there is nevertheless an ethical and moral obligation to join the debate, because the stakes for our communities, our youth and our fellow British Columbians are so high.

Politicians of all stripes – not just at the federal level – must respond before further damage is done to our B.C. communities. We must break the silence on this issue. The status quo must change.

Signed,

Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, 2005-2008
Larry Campbell, Mayor of Vancouver, 2002-2005
Philip Owen, Mayor of Vancouver, 1993-2002
Mike Harcourt, Mayor of Vancouver, 1980-1986

[button link=”https://stoptheviolencebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Letter-from-Mayors-Nov-23-2011.pdf” color=”orange”]Download Letter[/button]

What coalition members are saying

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Past and current members of law enforcement and the legal community

[button link=”http://www.youtube.com/stoptheviolencebc#p/a/u/2/6iMN6HkM-D0″ color=”orange” window=”yes”]Video statements[/button]

David Bratzer, Police Officer and Board of Directors, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition:

“Marijuana prohibition may be well-intentioned, but my personal opinion is that it has failed in BC and around the world. Prohibition has created a huge and violent criminal enterprise that is becoming more dangerous with each passing day, and I strongly support controlled marijuana legalization as an effective way to fight crime and protect our communities.”

Vince Cain, Retired RCMP Chief Superintendent and Former BC Chief Coroner:

“As a retired RCMP Chief Superintendent and Chief Coroner for British Columbia, I have witnessed the devastating human consequences, and social and economic costs, attributable to this drug prohibition. In BC, much of the organized crime and interrelated violence springs from marijuana prohibition. Well past the point of no return, common sense cries out to replace the long tried, but failed, model, with a public health vision and plan. A multi-disciplinary approach to these long standing issues will largely eliminate organized crime (gang) profits, generate public tax revenue and establish more positive, constructive avenues of control for all affected agencies. There is no time like the present.”

Ross Lander, Retired Justice, BC Supreme Court:

“I have read the report produced by the Stop Violence B.C. Coalition. With its contents I agree in all respects. I am providing this statement as a now retired Justice of the Supreme Court ofBritish Columbia and the opinions expressed are my thoughts alone as a citizen of Canada. The word futile is the most apt word to describe the long and unsuccessful “War on Drugs.” My experience as a trial judge has shown me that greed is a primary motivation of drug dealers who are averse to honest labour and obtaining tax free income from trafficking in cannabis–the monies obtained from illicit sales are staggering. When the courts impose harsh sentences on convicted drug dealers there are invariably some person or persons willing to fill the publics’ insatiable demand for marijuana. This is why I support the regulated sale of marijuana–not just in in B.C., but in Canada as a whole. Over time it is obvious that the police and judicial systems cannot extinguish the illicit production and sale of cannabis.”

Randie Long, Former Federal Prosecutor (Nanaimo):

“As a federal prosecutor who regularly dealt with marijuana offences, I can say with confidence that the criminal justice approach is an ineffective and ultimately harmful strategy for addressing marijuana use, possession, and trafficking in BC. Society is beginning to recognize that marijuana illegality rather than the drug itself is driving much of the crime and violence and it’s time the courts caught up.”

Walter McKay, Former Police Officer and Consultant, WM Consulting and Director of International Affairs and Founder, Asociación Mexicana de Reducción de Riesgos y Daños:

“I am 100% behind this report, its findings and its recommendations. The carnage that has been wrought upon Mexico, its people and its institutions, through Calderón’s war on drugs, cannot be solely blamed on prohibition. However, it is my firm belief that the policies of prohibition, especially of marijuana, directly contributed to the over 47,000 people who have been killed in drug-war related violence in this country since 2007.  As a former Vancouver Police officer who worked the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown East-side I was directly exposed to the multitude of victims who needlessly suffered for their addictions due to Canada´s prohibitionist stance with regards to marijuana.”

 

Academics

Neil Boyd, LLM; Professor & Associate Director, School of Criminology, SFU:

“The criminal prohibition of cannabis in Canada has been a dismal failure. In the past 30 years the price has decreased, and availability has increased. Changes in rates of use cannot be systematically related to law enforcement activities or to any legislative changes. In the absence of careful regulation, consumers continue to consume a product without adequate information about its risks, and our policies continue to reward dealers and growers, without any corresponding public benefits.”

Thomas Kerr, PhD; Director, Urban Health Research Initiative, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Associate Professor, Dept. of Medicine, UBC

Click the image to hear Dr. Kerr speak about why he supports Stop the Violence BC.

“Our research group has long been studying issues related to drug policy and, in particular, some of the social problems that come out of illicit drug use, such as violence at a broader level. We’re also very interested in the way in which the criminalization of drug use contributes to drug-related harm. And right now is a very important time to be looking at that issue as we’re seeing a massive growth in organized crimes and related violence here in British Columbia. In particular, many people are aware that the cannabis trade has grown exponentially, there’s a huge amount of concern about the threats to safety that that causes within our communities, and for good reasons. Right now we are trying to critically evaluate that situation, and to come up with some solutions. And because our group has long been interested in drug policy, this is a natural fit for us.”

Jean Shoveller, PhD; Professor & CIHR/PHAC Applied Public Health Chair, School of Population & Public Health, UBC and Senior Scholar, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

“I am very supportive of the coalition’s call for a public discussion about cannabis regulation within public health framework. These discussions would represent a new way to find effective strategies to address both crime and public health concerns – and, moreover, offers positive momentum towards reducing violence in our communities.”

 

Medical and public health professionals

Terri Betts, BScPharm, ACPR; Clinical Coordinator, Pharmacy, Lions Gate Hospital:

“It is very clear that the current strategy of prohibition of cannabis is not having the desired effect. In fact, the consequences are detrimental to public health and safety. We need to remove the “glamour” of cannabis use for adolescents, and the profits for organized crime, by regulating it. Taxation revenue could be directed to substance abuse treatment programs, and resources currently used for law enforcement could be redirected to investigating and prosecuting more serious crimes.”

Timothy Temple, MBBS, CCFP, FRSA; Physician, Dept. of Family Practice, UBC:

“After 35 years in Family Practice in BC, caring for many addicted patients, & being a strong supporter of evidence based practice with a holistic/empathic approach to care; I fully support the call for a change in the regulation of cannabis.”

Caroline Ferris, MD, CCFP, FCFP; Physician, Creekside Withdrawal Management Centre and Clinical Instructor, Dept. of Family Practice, UBC and Clinical Faculty Team, Dept. of Family Practice Residency Program, UBC

“I support measures which help ensure a safe supply of cannabis for medical users, and helps to eliminate cannabis-related criminal behaviour at the supply end as well as violent acts such as grow-rips, beatings and other gang activity.”

 

Video: Stop the Violence BC – The link between cannabis prohibition and organized crime

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Video: Why do you support Stop the Violence BC?

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Backgrounder: Breaking the Silence

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This backgrounder summarizes the key points raised in Breaking the Silence, the first report from the Stop the Violence BC Coalition.

This backgrounder briefly outlines the links between cannabis prohibition and the growth of organized crime and related violence in the province and defines the public health concept of “regulation”.

 

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Join us for a panel discussion

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Down to the wire: The failure of Cannabis Prohibition in BC

SFU Woodward’s Cinema |Thursday November, 10, 2011 | Doors at 630pm  Panel at 7 | Please register.

Live streaming available here

Stop the Violence BC presents Down to the Wire, a panel discussion on the failure of cannabis prohibition hosted by CBC Radio’s Kathryn Gretsinger.

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Panelists include:

Major Neill Franklin – Neill Franklin is a former Commander for the Bureau of Drug and Criminal enforcement and the Education and Training Division for Maryland State Police.  Through his work with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Neil has worked to raise awareness about the failures of prohibition and is motivated by the high number of civilian and police officer lives lost in the war on drugs.

 

 

Damon Barrett – Damon Barrett is a Senior Analyst with Harm Reduction International and leads their human rights program.  A member of the UK delegation to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs from 2008-2011, Damon has worked to raise the profile of drug policies at the UN Human Rights Council and through other UN mechanisms. Damon is also a co-founder of the International Centre on Human Rights and Drug Policy and an Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Human Rights and Drug Policy.

 

 

Evan Wood – Dr. Evan Wood is Co-Director of the Addiction and Urban Health Research Initiative (UHRI) at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the founder of the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy (ICSDP). Dr. Wood is a co-author of Stop the Violence BC’s first report Breaking the Silence: Cannabis prohibition, organized crime and gang violence in BC.

 

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Please donate $10 today.

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Thank you for considering making a donation to Stop the Violence BC

If 1,000 British Columbians give just ten dollars our reports will come faster, reach more people, and inspire more action.

Your donation supports on-going report generation, communications, events and other educational efforts to stop the needless violence resulting from cannabis prohibition in British Columbia. To make your contribution, please click here.

Over six months in to our campaign, we need your help to keep this momentum going, please consider giving $10 or more today.

Click here to make your contribution today.

All the Stop the Violence coalition members – law enforcement, physician and academic members included – donate their time cost-free to advancing an informed discussion of the impacts of cannabis prohibition in BC and evidence-based alternatives.

Note: You will be taken to the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation website. All donations made to the Foundation via this webpage will passed on to the Stop the Violence Coalition.

Coalition of BC Law Enforcement, Health and Academic Experts Call for Marijuana Legalization and Regulation to Reduce Gang Violence

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New Polls Shows 87% of British Columbians Link Gang Violence to Organized Crime’s Control of Marijuana Trade

October 27, 2011 [Vancouver, Canada] – In the wake of high-profile gang violence related to the illegal marijuana industry in BC, a new coalition of academic, legal and health experts has released the first of a series of reports and polling results aimed at pressuring politicians to legally regulate marijuana sales under a public health framework.

The Angus Reid poll says 87% of BC respondents link gang violence to organized crime’s efforts to control the province’s massive illegal cannabis trade while the report, called Breaking the Silence, clearly demonstrates that cannabis prohibition in BC has been ineffective and caused significant social harms and public safety issues.

“From a scientific and public health perspective we know that making marijuana illegal has not achieved its stated objectives of limiting marijuana supply or rates of use,” said Dr. Evan Wood, a coalition member and Director of the Urban Health Research Initiative at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. “Given that marijuana prohibition has created a massive financial windfall for violent organized crime groups in BC, we must discuss alternatives to today’s failed laws with a focus on how to decrease violence, remove the illicit industry’s profit motive and improve public health and safety.”

The new coalition, Stop the Violence BC, released the report in tandem with results from an Angus Reid poll that overwhelmingly demonstrates that lawmakers lag far behind public opinion on revamping marijuana laws in BC.

Key Angus Reid Poll Data:

  • A mere 12% of British Columbians support keeping current marijuana laws in place
  • 81% of British Columbians are concerned about increasing gang violence in BC
  • 87% of British Columbians attribute gang violence to drug trafficking groups fighting over profits from the illegal marijuana trade
  • 69% state that arresting marijuana producers and sellers is ineffective, and that BC would be better off taxing and regulating the use of marijuana
  • More than 75% reject the notion that possession of marijuana should lead to a criminal record
  • Only 39% of British Columbians support instituting mandatory minimum prison sentences for marijuana-trade related crime, including possession of six or more marijuana plants.

“These results reveal that British Columbians are clearly dissatisfied with the status quo and recognize the unintended harmful consequences of marijuana prohibition in terms of promoting organized crime and violence,” said Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion. “The majority of British Columbians are ready for new regulations related to marijuana use and possession, and reject the notion that tough-on-crime measures will be effective.”

Retired RCMP Chief Superintendent Supports Stop the Violence BC

Support for the Stop the Violence BC coalition has been widespread and includes leading experts and professionals from many fields. Vince Cain, retired RCMP Chief Superintendent and former Chief Coroner for British Columbia, has witnessed the devastating human consequences and social and economic costs attributable to marijuana prohibition.

“In BC, organized crime is reaping billions from the illegal marijuana industry and increasingly consolidating its hold through violence,” said Cain. “Stiffer sanctions will not reverse these trends, but legally regulating marijuana in BC would eliminate a primary source of revenue for these criminal groups, reduce gang violence, and generate tax revenue.”

Police Officer: “Prohibition Has Failed”

Police officers are at the front-lines of the futile efforts to control the illegal marijuana trade and the resulting gang violence.

“Marijuana prohibition may be well-intentioned, but my personal opinion is that it has failed in BC and around the world,” said David Bratzer, a police officer who resides in Victoria, BC. “Prohibition has created a huge and violent criminal enterprise that is becoming more dangerous with each passing day, and I strongly support controlled marijuana legalization as an effective way to fight crime and protect our communities.”

A Call for Public Discussion

Over the coming months, Stop the Violence BC will encourage the public, media, politicians, academics and law enforcement to begin an open dialogue about this pressing public safety issue. Public forums with academic and law enforcement experts will be held and further poll results and scientific research will be released. In addition, prominent British Columbians – including politicians – will be asked to support the call to effectively end the marijuana cash cow for organized crime, employ a public health approach for the legal regulation of marijuana, and reduce gang-related violence in BC communities.

“The time has come for all politicians – municipal, provincial and federal – to say whether they agree with public opinion, support reducing gang violence and changing these ineffective and harmful marijuana laws,” said Wood. “The violence is taking place in their communities, so all politicians owe it to their constituents to show real leadership and acknowledge the fact that marijuana prohibition is a key source of crime and gang violence in this province.”

With Vancouver under a police warning regarding the potential for increased gang violence, members of the public wanting to reduce violence and criminal activity can get involved in the coalition’s efforts by attending the public forums and making their voices heard. They can also write to media and their mayors, councilors, MLAs and MPs to let them know that they support the coalition and its efforts.

To join the conversation, please visit our Facebook page. Updates on the campaign are publicly available on our Twitter feed.

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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.

Click here for a full listing of coalition members and to learn more about the coalition.

About Angus Reid Public Opinion

Angus Reid Public Opinion is the Public Affairs practice of Vision Critical headed by Dr. Angus Reid: an industry visionary who has spent more than four decades asking questions to figure out what people feel, how they think and who they will vote for.

 

Media: to receive polling results and talk to a member of the Stop the Violence BC Coalition, please contact:

Crystal Reinitz
Edelman
604.623.3007 ext. 301
[email protected]

[button link=”https://stoptheviolencebc.org/2011/10/26/poll-british-columbians-link-gang-violence-to-illegal-cannabis-market/” style=”download” color=”orange”]Click here to download poll results[/button]