Pot initiative fails to get the numbers

Sensible B.C.'s campaign to decriminalize cannabis has failed to get enough petition signatures to advance the initiative to the next level.

While three of the four were close, none of the North Shore's ridings met the 10-per cent threshold required from every riding to force a referendum.

Volunteers were able to collect signatures from at least eight per cent of registered voters in North Vancouver-Lonsdale, North Vancouver-Seymour and West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky while West Vancouver Capilano failed to get above five per cent.

Despite the loss, local organizer Michael Charrois is proud of the "Herculean" effort put up by volunteers for the cause.

Fear seemed to be a deciding factor in the petition's failure, Charrois said.

"A lot of people said they were behind what we were doing but they would not put their signature on a public document." he said. "There are reasons to be fearful but by the same token, if you live your life in fear, nothing's going to get done."

Asked about the future of marijuana decriminalization or legalization, Charrois said the next fight will happen at the federal level.

"In two years' time, it will be the federal election and it is federal jurisdiction, so maybe it's time to exert a little pressure on that front," he said.