Danny B

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7519178.stm

British Columbia is probably home to the largest concentration of organised criminal syndicates in the world.


Is this for real?

JonboyE

It goes on to say:

The striking aspect of BC's marijuana trade is that it has gone beyond the boundaries of traditional organised crime groups (although some are still heavily involved) and entered into the middle classes.

Much of the revenue derived from BC Bud, as the cannabis crop is known, goes on paying college fees, perhaps buying a second car or making that holiday to the Caribbean just a little bit more affordable.

So, if you include everyone involved in BC bud as an organized crime syndicate then I guess it is for real.

startwin

Sure, we're all involved in it. It's the latest Mom & Pop industry. Organised crime everywhere gun battles on the streets, don't move here, much safer in the UK.

Danny B

That was my point, I feel much safer here in BC than I ever did in the UK.
I used to smoke the occasional joint back in England but since being here (in BC Bud land) no one else (well my Canadian friends) seems to smoke the stuff

How ironic is that?

dbd33

That seems very odd. Just about everyone smokes here.

Rich_007

You have the wrong friends

Seriously...are you sure they're friends ? Or perhaps they don't wish to be perceived as brain-addled dope fiends by the local Brits ? So they hide their symptoms of reefer madness.

R.

Danny B

They tell me that smoking grass makes them feel paranoid and that they prefer drinking beer..

Steve_P

More money to be made selling the stuff than smoking the profits.

ville303

knife crime, rape, murder seem to fade into insignificance here???? - I thought these would have been more relevant - sheeesh

pint princess

I think that you're feeling the difference between organised and disorganised crime.

Bleech

Wow, most my Canadian friends smoke, even the people you wouldn't of thought so do. Actually when I came here I was surprised (if not a tiny bit shocked) by who did, now it's just part of everyday life, no big deal.

ville303

A big part of BC life (rightly or wrongly - choices!) Dude

Sjt53

Opps ! I hadn't seen your thread when I posted this, anyhow you can listen to the whole program on the link here.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=551017

Surrey Expat

It is not reserved for the young either!
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimesc...b-76c13ce1afa5

Not sure what the pension benefits are like!

Sjt53

Excellent