Pubdate: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 Source: Whistler Question (CN BC) Copyright: 2013, Whistler Printing & Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.whistlerquestion.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1034 Author: Steve Brooks Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca/ DO THE SENSIBLE THING A few weeks ago I read a piece about Sensible B.C. and that Hempire was organizing a signing station at Black's Pub. I went there to sign this petition but was truly disappointed with the number of people who didn't show up. I want your readers to understand the importance and implications of this petition to inevitably legalize simple possession of cannabis. These signatures that canvassers are collecting are not only for those who are for this amendment to the Policing Act but also for those who are opposed. We live in a democracy that is based on the population having open discussion/debate. The opportunity is to express our views through a referendums on this important issues, letting the people of B.C. cast their votes. Who knows, the "nays" might outweigh the "yays" after all. Let's see. If you are still opposed to allowing this democratic process to move forward because your morals suggest that legalization would be harmful to society, I say that by not signing you're actually saying that it's OK for black market enterprises to target innocent children. By having the government involved and regulating this billion dollar industry much the same as with alcohol and tobacco - both of which are much worse than marijuana; I've never heard of anyone overdosing on pot - our children will be educated about the uses/abuses and deterred because acquiring it will be much more difficult. Sensible? And for those who are God-fearing think about this: God created hemp in all it's forms for our consumption, not as something to be prohibited. Not only for medical uses, but for all its uses. In closing, I implore every citizen and registered voter in the Sea to Sky, and B.C. for that matter, to sign this petition whether you're for it or against it. Let's see how all citizens of B.C. vote on this referendum. Petitions are available for signature at Hempire, which is located next to Garfinkels in Village North. Steve Brooks WHISTLER - --- MAP posted-by: Matt