Welcome to the New Amsterdam

Victoria has always been a tourist city, but for the first time in a long time, that is going to hit new heights. We have a new city council, lead once again by a progressive mayor who isn't afraid to lead the way with positive change.

On March 12, 2012, councillor Ben Isitt proposed a motion to the Governance and Priorities Committee entitled, "Support a Regulatory Approach to Cannabis Control". On Thursday, March, 15th, the motion was passed. On March 22nd at 7:30pm, this vote will go in front of the entire city council.

This signals a proactive change in the community; it will instantly affect organized crime in the area, who until now have been in an unregulated industry. Now, cannabis will be regulated in the same way it is for medicinal usage; but now you'll have to be of age, know that it's not been laced with drugs, and the province will profit. Perhaps we can put a percentage of that profit into mental health research.

I'm not sure Victoria is ready for a tourism boost of this scale; we'll once again be a glimmer in the eye of the globe trotters who are looking for a place that prioritizes on health, safety and leisure. According to those to study the new economic order (NEO), the most money is spent by people who focus on travel and tourism around experience, pleasure, wine, and food.

On March 22nd, when this vote happens in city council, unless you support organized crime and the unregulated, violent distribution of cannabis, get every business professional in the community you know to endorse this motion. We're about to once again become world leaders, and watch the rest of our jurisdictional neighbours follow our lead.

If you'd like to send the mayor an email in support of this motion, fill out this form and send it on to your friends and family!