Advocates for a referendum on decriminalizing marijuana will be in Vernon today.

Advocates for a referendum on decriminalizing marijuana will be in Vernon today.

Marijuana decriminalization advocate in Vernon today

Petition volunteers needed to promote the Sensible Policing Act

Sensible B.C. director Dana Larsen is in Vernon today to promote the marijuana referendum campaign.

Elections B.C. has given approval in principle for petition drive for a proposed law which would effectively decriminalize marijuana possession in the province.

“We’ve already started registering canvassers,” said Larsen, who will be at the Bean Scene at 1 p.m.

“We’ll need a few thousand volunteer canvassers to collect the roughly 400,000 signatures required.”

Sensible B.C. now has 60 days before the 90 day signature-gathering period begins Sept. 9. If the campaign can collect signatures from 10 per cent of the registered voters in each electoral district, the Sensible Policing Act will be put to a referendum in 2014.

“Our polling shows over 70 per cent support in B.C. for the provisions of the Sensible Policing Act.” said Larsen.

“The question for us is, are there enough British Columbians who feel passionately about this issue for us to get the many canvassers and volunteers we need?”

 

Vernon Morning Star