Four former Vancouver mayors say we must move from a violent unregulated marijuana market to a strictly regulated cannabis market that is based on a public health framework because it will help stop gang violence. But some critics feel this latest move to push for the legalization of marijuana is poorly thought out and has no facts to support it.

---

Today's guest host is Jim Brown in Calgary.

Part One of The Current

Satire

It's Friday, November 25th.

The Conservatives are pushing to add 30 seats to the House of Commons.

Currently, it's all part of the government's plan to create new jobs. And good jobs, too! 157K and a pension!

This is The Current.

Regulate Marijuana? - Philip Owen

Istvan Marton - or Steve to his friends -- was a passionate advocate for the legalization of marijuana. And it looks as if he may have died for his cause. Marton was a marijuana dealer in Sointula on Vancouver Island. To protest Canada's marijuana laws, he staged a hunger strike and went without solid food for more than a month. He suffered a massive heart attack Sunday, and his doctor said the hunger strike contributed to his death.

Steve Marton is just one British Columbia resident making headlines this week for a campaign to change Canada's marijuana laws. This week, four former Vancouver Mayors called for an end to the prohibition on pot. But for Marton's sister, Juliana Bazso, the issue is personal. We heard from her.

This week, former Vancouver mayors Larry Campbell, Mike Harcourt, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen signed an open letter to British Columbia politicians in support of the Stop the Violence BC Coalition. They believe, among other things, that legalized pot would do much to end gang mayhem. Philip Owen, was the Mayor of Vancouver from 1993-2002. He was in Vancouver this morning.

Regulate Marijuana? - Chuck Doucette

Not everyone thinks that legalizing marijuana is the way to cut down on gang violence. Chuck Doucette is a retired British Columbia RCMP officer and most of his 35 years with the force were spent in drug enforcement and drug education. He's now on the board of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada. He was in Delta, British Columbia.

Related Links:

• B.C. man dies after marijuana hunger strike By Judith Lavoie - Postmedia News
• Legalize pot, four former Vancouver mayors say - Postmedia News
• Doctors refuse to OK marijuana use By: Sharon Kirkey - Ottawa Citizen
  

Other segments from today's show:

• After the DRC election ballots are counted
• The Weasel, Marvin Elkind shares his story in A Double Life in The Mob