POT USER WEIGHS IN

Re "High rise housed a $1M grow op," (July 16):

Having retired from
law enforcement more than a decade ago,and having been one of Canada's
first 20 people to receive a licence to grow and use marijuana as
medicine many years ago, I see absolutely nothing has changed with the
war on drugs. People are still taking advantage of the easy market
involved with the "grow your own" marijuana culture, are more than
familiar with the millions of dollars to be made in this prohibited
list of substances and this story is a prime example.

Exemptees like
myself are targeted daily for different reasons regarding our choice
of cannabis as medicine, strictly because of people like these. We go
into extreme debt trying to take care of our cannabis needs and our
health all the time (if we are even able) which often means tending to
our plants daily, watering, feeding and transplanting more often than
not. Our homes do not look like this apartment did when the police
arrived.

Next the government sends us to the street for our medicine,
as their source is somewhat questionable in potency and strength. The
Compassion Clubs around town hold their breath daily while they serve
us wondering as to whether or not there will be a visit from their
local or regional police.

Then, our home insurance is denied and or
cancelled by most major insurance companies due to medical gardens
being considered illegal "grow ops" by most confused citizens and
lastly, we are the target of continuous home invasions. What kind of a
life is this for a licensed medical patient?

Stories like this just
add to people's confusion and hysteria involving the very few grow
operations that do turn out poorly.

Legalize and regulate marijuana
and all drugs so that our children and the street market no longer
lead this issue and so that responsible adults have safe, affordable
and consistent access.

Please -- our lives depend on it.

Alison Myrden

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

(Few grow ops turn out poorly? Are you serious?)