cannabisnews.com: Victoria Council Endorses Softening Pot Laws Victoria Council Endorses Softening Pot Laws Posted by FoM on April 19, 2002 at 08:23:45 PT By Malcolm Curtis Source: Victoria Times-Colonist Victoria has become the second municipality in B.C. to formally support the decriminalization of marijuana use and possession for medicinal purposes. City council Thursday unanimously passed a motion requesting the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to lobby the federal government to relax the laws on marijuana.The motion was proposed by Coun. Rob Fleming, who said it was designed to "move Canada away from treating marijuana as a banned substance to a controlled substance." The motion follows a similar statement endorsed by North Vancouver council.This is a case where "society is way ahead of lawmakers," Fleming said. Many municipalities have expressed the view that fighting medical pot use is a losing battle, "a waste of police resources," he said. Arresting people for medical marijuana use is something police no longer want to do, Fleming said.His motion was supported by Coun. Pam Madoff, who thanked members of the public for educating council about the issue.Several groups of medical users of marijuana, including members of the local Cannabis Buyers Club, have addressed council on the subject this month. More than 20 people, some in wheelchairs, with ailments ranging from cancer to glaucoma, have appealed to council for support on the issue.Fleming said the federal laws, in theory, allow people to use marijuana to alleviate medical problems. But the reality is that lawful access to pot is difficult, if not impossible.Coun. Helen Hughes was cautiously supportive, approving the motion only after it was clarified to refer to medical use of marijuana.But Coun. Denise Savoie said the action is long overdue. "We've been caught in a time warp on cannabis," she said.Ted Smith, a crusader for liberalized marijuana laws and a supporter of the Cannabis Buyers Club, praised council's action."To learn that we have council's support is encouraging," said Smith, who is battling several marijuana charges before the court."We've started the ball moving that can hopefully move from Victoria to Halifax."Smith said he hopes to convince other capital region municipalities to jump on the bandwagon.Under the current law, just three dozen people have received federal exemptions to use marijuana in the Victoria area. But there are more than 900 members of the buyers club with medical reasons, certified by a doctor, to use it, Smith said.Complete Title: Victoria Council Endorses Softening Nation's Pot LawsSource: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)Author: Malcolm Curtis Published: Friday, April 19, 2002Copyright: 2002 Times ColonistContact: letters times-colonist.comWebsite: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmPot Remains Burning Issue http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12452.shtmlProblem Pot - NOW Magazinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11843.shtmlOf Cannabis and Compassion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10989.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 19, 2002 at 19:57:50 PT lookinside Thank You [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by lookinside on April 19, 2002 at 18:33:08 PT: FoM... Steve Tuck contacted me today.He asked me to thank everyone who cared and went to such extraordinary efforts to help him and Steve Kubby.At this time he is unable to speak to the media or post on the internet. He said that he would be posting on C-news again as soon as he is able.Everyone here are the best people I know of.(my personal opinion.) [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by mayan on April 19, 2002 at 17:29:12 PT Crrraaack! The ballzarollin' up in Canada. The dam's gonna' break! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by qqqq on April 19, 2002 at 15:01:12 PT Vancouver Island! ....Just north of Washington States' Olympic Penninsulu,,across the Strait of Juan de Fuca ,,is Vancouver Island,,and the city of Victoria..........It's really a beautiful part of the world! ! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 19, 2002 at 14:17:53 PT Clarification Not physical life but life. Hope this is enough information. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on April 19, 2002 at 14:15:45 PT Dankhank It was at the request of someone's who life is in jeopardy now. I can't say more. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Jose Melendez on April 19, 2002 at 14:11:43 PT: sigh Well, if either Steve needs help, just ask, email or (preferably) send me a video. Just saying no... is LYING [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Dankhank on April 19, 2002 at 14:04:44 PT: What????? in a forum that values information this is craaaaaaazy.May we know what is going on? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 19, 2002 at 13:02:41 PT Important Note This thread was deleted because of a special and important request. Sorry everyone but it was necessary. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment