Former NDP leadership candidate and pot advocate Dana Larsen will speak in Metchosin on Wednesday about an approach to cannabis decriminalization.
Larsen, a founding member of both national and provincial marijuana political parities, is touring coastal B.C. in support of his Sensible B.C. campaign.
The campaign promotes the passing of a Sensible Policing Act, which would direct all police in B.C. “to stop spending any time or resources on searching, seizing or arresting anyone for simple cannabis possession,” explained Larsen, in a news release.
“The lawyers at Elections B.C. have confirmed that this legislation is within provincial jurisdiction and suitable for a referendum,” said Larsen.
The goal is to promote a referendum similar to that which reverted the province’s decision to move to HST. Volunteers will collect signatures until November 2013 and Larsen has been on tour since October 2012 to promote the campaign.
In Metchosin he will speak to the Association for the Preservation of Rural Metchosin.
Association president Ken Farquharson said they invited Larsen based on Metchosin council’s endorsement of decriminalizing marijuana at 2012’s Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention.
“Given the fact the council decided to move on it, I felt we should know more about it,” said Farquharson.
The talk is Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Metchosin Community House, 4430 Happy Valley Road. The presentation takes place during the regular monthly meeting of the association, but all those who are interested are invited to attend.
Larsen will also speak at the University of Victoria on Wednesday, Jan. 23.