Green leader Jane Sterk wants pot sold in liquor-store-style outlets

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      B.C. Green party leader Jane Sterk envisions marijuana being sold in establishments resembling liquor stores.

      In a post-prohibition era, Sterk also sees pot being grown by co-operatives.

      During an April 20 interview at the Georgia Straight offices, Sterk addressed her party’s election-platform promise to support an end to drug prohibition and to work toward the regulation of the production and distribution of psychoactive substances.

      “The vast majority of people who use these substances use them in such a way that it causes no harm to themselves or anyone else,” said Sterk, who is the Green candidate in Esquimalt-Royal Roads. “Fundamentally, we believe that, if it’s not causing harm, why would we need to criminalize behaviour which is done by responsible adults.”

      When asked if she saw marijuana being sold in liquor-store-style outlets in the future, Sterk said, “Yes. Or Compassion clubs or cooperatives.”

      Sterk hinted that the legalization of marijuana would help fight gang violence.

      “We’re already giving over our land to all kinds of criminal elements, who are growing cannabis on land and in buildings that make it less than desirable, including the watershed in Greater Victoria,” Sterk said. “They found grow-ops there, so we need to get a handle of that and make it a legitimate agricultural activity.

      “So, that’s one way to do it, and then it would be controlled and regulated just like we do tobacco and alcohol, so that we keep it out of the hands of youngsters and out of the hands of the criminal elements that are destroying our communities,” she added.

      Sterk said that the Greens are focusing their efforts on marijuana at this time but that ultimately the province needs to end the prohibition of other drugs.

      “The war on drugs is a futile endeavour,” she said. “It’s a failure, and it doesn’t make sense to continue to do something that’s failing, and we should approach this problem differently.”

      You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.

      Comments

      5 Comments

      thecossack

      Apr 24, 2009 at 1:05pm

      Regulation works. No young people abuse alcohol or tobacco. What a revelation.

      If we could get poppies to grow properly here we could spawn another local agricultural success story. I am sure with the BC engineering sector we would be able to reproduce the altitude in greenhouses that would be required to grow the coca plant. Another job creating, agricultural, green win win.

      We could also assemble safe, do it yourself, meth kits and sell them along side the grow equipment. Tax everything and we have the homeless problem and health care funding, solved. Billions of bucks I will not need to shell out in taxes.

      Now what do we do with the number one export out of BC, MDMA (ecstasy)?

      Dan

      Apr 25, 2009 at 9:06am

      Your grouping meth, coke and opium in with this pot issue so whatever and as far as I'm concerned people have the right to do whatever drug they want. Really worse things happen from alcohol and prescription medication anyways so this pot issue is a no brainer. Legalize it, I smoke all day and I'm an active, healthy, productive, intelligent human being so what's the problem. A police officer, one who is "to protect and serve" will stop me from exercising my freedom? I don't understand what the point is, it's not going to stop me from smoking. If anything when these compassion groups grow the stuff it will be safer than the unflushed marijuana crops that the bikers grow and distribute as of now.

      conservative brains can't comprehend

      Apr 27, 2009 at 2:09pm

      It makes so much sense yet some just don't get it!

      Thank you Jane Sterk for not being a sell-out politician, you speak things in such a manner that promotes a behaviour and logic in Canada that has long since disappeared! I'm talking about common sense!

      Harper are you listening? Nevermind, he is reading is bible right now. I'll have to try him later when he is meeting with big pharma and the oil companies.

      Russell Barth

      Sep 29, 2009 at 4:17am

      “The war on drugs is a futile endeavour,” she said. “It’s a failure, and it doesn’t make sense to continue to do something that’s failing, and we should approach this problem differently.”
      Actually, the War On Certain Drugs has been a resounding success. It was designed specifically to increase crime, which necessitates the need for more cops, more jails, and fewer rights and liberties for all citizens. Cops get more funding and powers each year, and people who build, maintain, and supply jails get wealthier.

      The whole thing is a scam, and the media-addled public gobbles it up like cake.

      Russell Barth
      Federally Licensed Medical Marijuana User
      Patients Against Ignorance and Discrimination on Cannabis
      (PAIDOC)www.paidoc.org

      robert proulx

      May 6, 2011 at 10:46am

      i support the idea of legalization of marijuana.