BC

British Columbia's municipal politicians are poised to challenge federal marijuana laws in a vote to decriminalize marijuana.

The Union of BC Municipalities, the voice of the province's municipal councils, has put a resolution to its members calling for a vote on decriminalization, and examination of the benefits of taxing and regulating pot.

On Monday, UBCM delegates crowded into a conference room to hear health policy advocates, police officers and former BC attorney general Geoff Plant call on municipal politicians to lead efforts to change what they call Canada's outdated pot laws.

Plant and others say decriminalizing marijuana will help fight organized crime gangs who invade communities and stage lethal battles to control BC's multi-billion-dollar marijuana market.

Plant says municipal leaders are justified in taking a stand against federal marijuana laws because they govern and live in the communities where drug gangs operate.

But Sgt. Dave Williams, one of BC's top RCMP drug enforcement officers, predicts decriminalization won't stop gangs from attempting to control the pot market.