Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson has joined four former city mayors in support of legalizing marijuana.
He tweeted Thursday night: “Good to see 4 Vancouver ex-mayors calling for end of cannabis prohibition. I agree, we need to be smart and tax/regulate.”
Former Vancouver mayors Larry Campbell, Mike Harcourt, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen all signed an open letter to politicians in B.C. on Wednesday claiming a change in the law will reduce gang slayings on public streets.
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Robertson wasn’t available for an interview Friday, but Kevin Quinlan, a spokesman for the mayor, confirmed Robertson’s support.
Quinlan said the mayor’s support for legalizing marijuana is not new and dates as far back as 2009.
The four former mayors support the position of the Stop the Violence B.C. coalition, which recently released a survey showing most B.C. residents favoured an end to the current marijuana laws.
The mayors’ open letter says the failed policy of marijuana prohibition is creating violent, gang-related crime, adding financial costs for all levels of government.
The letter was sent to MPs, MLAs and city councillors.
However, RCMP Sgt. Bill Whalen, of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, said legalizing marijuana will not solve the complex problem of gang violence.
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