The push is on to decriminalize marijuana in British Columbia, but the City of Kimberley will be taking no official stance on the issue.
A group called Sensible BC is proposing an amendment to the Policing Act, instructing police not to spend any time, money or resources on cases of simple possession of cannabis.
Sensible BC has contacted municipal councils throughout the province seeking support at next month’s Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference.
Sensible BC will use the province’s unique initiative legislation to try to bring a referendum on the amendment to the public. The Sensible BC campaign has been signing up canvassers and is prepared to start collecting signatures on Sept. 9.
In the meantime, Kimberley City Council will not take any official action on the initiative, simply receiving the letter from Sensible BC with no further action.
The matter had been deferred by Council from a prior meeting where only a bare quorum attended.
Coun. Kent Goodwin said that while he would support decriminalization of marijuana, he wasn’t sure this was the correct way to do it.
“I would encourage our delegates to the UBCM to support it,” he said.
Coun. Jack Ratcliffe didn’t think it was something a municipality should be involved with.
“It’s beyond our level,” he said .”I think it would be wise to stay away from it.”