Dear Editor,
Our city council has voted unanimously in opposition of marijuana legalization (and its distribution in Richmond). However, their logic as to why is inherently flawed, and may result in some problematic consequences once July 1 arrives.
The councillors all defended their decisions with many different, often irrelevant reasons. For instance, Coun. Carol Day simply stated “This is a suburb. We’re not the heavy-duty nightlife of Downtown Vancouver and the action-packed thrill of adventure of Surrey. In Richmond, we tend to live a more conservative lifestyle.”
None of this opposition has actually addressed the issue at hand.
They all imply that banning the sale of marijuana in Richmond would simply stop people from using it. In reality, the vast majority of future Richmond cannabis customers are already users of the drug, who obtain it either from the black market, or from existing Vancouver dispensaries.
By preventing the sale of cannabis within city limits, those who are already using will continue to go to any of the surrounding cities to purchase it. It only makes it more difficult for medical users, especially those with chronic pain, to obtain it. Furthermore, due to basic business logic, the remaining demand for convenient cannabis in Richmond may even give drug dealers incentive to remain operational in our city, especially to sell to minors.
I understand that many Richmondites have a more conservative view on marijuana, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
But it frustrates me to see our councillors choosing to fight a losing battle, that will likely only result in more problems.
I ask them to please stop distracting us with red herring arguments against legalization itself, facading their opposition of dispensaries. With a municipal election coming up this fall, this will definitely be a hot topic issue that may influence many votes.
Ju Cheng
Richmond
