HYDRO GROW-OP FIGURES LEAD TO DEAD END

Re: "Thousands of B.C. homes could be grow operations," Aug. 31.

What a monumental waste of time and money to investigate a possible
18,000 marijuana grow operations based on information supplied by B.C. Hydro.

Not only is it debatable whether there could possibly be that many
grow-ops in B.C., but any large-scale producer would either bypass
the electrical meter or have an independent source of power. The
information obtained from B.C. Hydro needs to be scrutinized to be of any use.

It's sensational to report such a large number of grow-ops (what
better way to emphasize that police departments need more money), but
it is also dangerous. The public gets all worked up about drugs and
crime and poor decisions are made.

By linking the marijuana industry with other drugs we are fighting a
war we can't win. It's time to throw in the towel and admit defeat.
It's time to legalize cannabis and regulate it and tax it. This would
allow our police to work on other more important things.

Fred Mallach,

Victoria.