LATELY, THERE have been a number of stories in The Sun about cannabis,
particularly cannabis-growing operations and related arrests.

Police have gone on record that Alberta is becoming the "pot capital
of the world" with the most sophisticated growing methods ever, and
that the "outlaw bikers" and organized crime are getting involved.

Unfortunately there have been two things consistently absent from
these stories.

Those being truth supported by facts and an unbiased
opinion.

Sun reporter Ian McDougall interviewed two policemen - RCMP Cpl. Bob
Simmonds and Edmonton police Staff Sgt. Nick Bok. Sgt. Bok went on
record that he's "seen reports" that cannabis grown in Alberta is
being exported to as far away as Mexico and the U.S.

Cannabis grown in Alberta is primarily smoked in Alberta. Sgt. Bok
also said that cannabis growing is "a big problem in the city and in
the province." Given the fact that a majority of Canadians want
cannabis at least decriminalized, the problem is the arrests.

Sgt. Bok let a glimmer of truth slip through, saying, "People from all
walks of society" are growing cannabis, but in so doing contradicted
his colleague, RCMP Cpl. Bob Simmonds, who said that it's "outlaw
motorcycle groups" involved in the financing of these operations. Yet
there haven't ever been any stories about bikers getting arrested for
growing cannabis.

Keep in mind that if cannabis were legalized both Simmonds and Bok
would be out of a job.

Troy Stewart

(As long as it's illegal, it doesn't sound like anyone will be out of
a job, soon.)