Sensible B.C.'s petition organizers in Richmond are hoping to light a fire under their campaign, which has a long way to go to reach its goal of collecting enough signatures in a bid to decriminalize marijuana use.
Local supporter Cory Skinner said since the petition kicked off Sept. 9, volunteers have only gathered signatures of between one and two per cent of the 10 per cent of registered voters needed to hold a referendum. And with the petition 90-day deadline of Dec. 8 quickly approaching, new strategies are being devised to enlist support.
A legion of 75 new canvassers have been enlisted to seek out signatures, and more emphasis is being placed at locations in and around local liquor stores, as well as hightraffic spots such as the Canada Line stations. Making the task a challenge is the fact the petition must meet that 10 per cent threshold in each of B.C.'s 85 provincial ridings to trigger a referendum. That amounts to around 400,000 signatures that have to then be verified by Elections BC officials.
"We need about 17,000 more signatures in Richmond from the three ridings," Skinner said, adding so far most people canvassers have approached have been supportive. But that doesn't always translate into a signature.
