HOLY SMOKE BUST IS 'OUT OF STEP'

To the Editor,

Sgt. Steve Bank of the Nelson City Police claims that the decision to
bust Holy Smoke was his and his alone. If true, why is a major change
in police policy being dictated at the level of a police sergeant?

Holy Smoke has been operating since 1997, and, apart from a bust in
1998, has been tolerated by the police up to now, when Sgt. Bank
presumptuously decided that the policy should change.

I do not believe, as he claims that he has the community on his
side.

The obvious reason for tolerating Holy Smoke is, as the name implies,
an issue of personal and religious freedom. For some people, smoking
marijuana has religious and spiritual significance.

Because Nelson prides itself in being a community that welcomes
alternative lifestyles, surely this latest police move is out of step
with community attitudes and standards. At least, I hope so.

John Rowell

Nelson, B.C.