65 per cent of British Columbians want to legalize pot: poll

THE#BCBIZDAILY
Plus, hot condos in Squamish and early snow on the ski hills

Coastal cannabis
According to a new Forum Research poll, the Liberal government’s promise to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana promise is especially popular in B.C. (68 per cent) and Atlantic Canada (75 per cent), compared to 59 per cent of Canadians overall. Residents of B.C. and Atlantic Canada are also the most likely to have used cannabis in the past year (25 per cent each), compared to 18 per cent overall. Most (45 per cent) of the 1,256 Canadian voters polled would prefer that marijuana be produced by large corporate growers and sold through government agencies like liquor boards. If it is legalized, 13 per cent of those who do not use marijuana now are likely to use it and four per cent “very likely”  to do so.

Sold in Squamish
Not everyone seeking affordable housing within commuting distance of Vancouver heads to the Fraser Valley. Squamish saw a 14.67 per cent population increase between 2006 and 2011, and last weekend one of the city’s largest condo developments sold out in 90 minutes, mainly to local buyers.  The 65 ParkHouse Condominiums were priced from $167,000 to $449,900 with 60 per cent below $300,000.

Let it snow
After last year’s snow shortage on the ski hills, things are looking up: Grouse Mountain has already had a dusting this year, and Kelowna’s Big White Ski Resort is opening two weeks early. With a cumulative snowfall of 87 centimetres so far, the lifts will lift off at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, November 13, the earliest the resort has opened since the 2001/2002 season. “It’s always been the family’s policy to open a lift as soon as snow permits and it’s safe to do so, and that’s what we’ve done again this year,” said Big White senior VP Michael J. Ballingall in a release.