VANCOUVER — The tainted and controversial BC-Liberal MLA Kash Heed, who is not seeking re-election, is the latest cheerleader for legalizing marijuana.
Heed has joined the Stop the Violence campaign saying he believes continuing pot prohibition is futile.
“Marijuana prohibition has been a failure and continues to be a failure here in British Columbia,” says Heed. “It has actually fuelled the gang violence that [we’ve been] experiencing here in British Columbia for many years. It is directly related to marijuana prohibition by the simple fact that there is a lot of easy money to be made by gangsters involved in the marijuana trade.”
He says his 31 years in law enforcement, including as West Vancouver police chief and a stint heading the Vancouver Police drug unit, brought him to believe criminalization fuels gang violence.
Former Attorney General Geoff Plant, who also endorses the campaign, says Heed has shown political courage by speaking out against what he feels are failed laws and is urging political leaders to base policy on evidence.
Heed says he’ll use his remaining time in office to reach out to provincial leaders in an attempt to ensure discussions about more effective public health and safety strategies become part of the debate before the May election.
Last month, the Union of B.C. Municipalities passed a resolution calling for the decriminalization of cannabis.
When Premier Christy Clark was asked whether she supports decriminalizing pot earlier this year, she said it was up to the federal government to decide.
“That’s a cop out,” counters Heed. “That’s passing the buck to have someone else address a concern that is here in British Columbia.”
“It was easy for me to make this public, knowing that I have a bit of time left in office where I can reach out to provincial leaders,” Heed told News 1130. “It’s a time for BC politicians — Adrian Dix, Christy Clark and John Cummins — to demonstrate leadership in addressing these long-standing public safety issues by supporting evidence-based alternatives.”
