British Columbia Mayor Proposes Taxing Marijuana to Fund Drug Treatment
Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell in British Columbia has proposed
partial marijuana decriminalization so that taxes from pot sales
can be used to fund treatment for addiction, KIRO-TV Seattle reported
May 10.
Under the mayor's plan, marijuana would be legalized and regulated
like tobacco and alcohol. "Taxes levied on marijuana sales
could add to the resources for treatment. Remember, the B.C. marijuana
trade is estimated at $4.4 billion annually, larger than construction
or forestry," Campbell said.
The mayor, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and coroner,
said partial decriminalization would also free up law enforcement
for other crimes.
Campbell announced the proposal at the annual meeting of the British
Columbia Civil Liberties Association. Campbell said he is against
full decriminalization because of the problems that would result
with "real criminals," such as dealers.
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