WE'VE MADE THE POLICE OUR MOST EXPENSIVE WEED PULLERS

Re: Story published Aug. 29 called RCMP taking a bite out of outdoor grow-ops

Law enforcement efforts "taking a bite out of" the cannabis supply is
hyperbole.

This annual eradication effort is costly public theatre, giving the
illusion that something is being accomplished. However, 80-95 per
cent of grow-ops escape the RCMP.

Instead it provides job security for police and gives their unions
more resources with which to influence policy makers away from
cannabis law reform, fibbing that "it sends the wrong message."

Police unions, specifically the Canadian Police Association, are the
top lobby groups against reform. A majority of Canadians favour
legalizing cannabis, and two thirds of British Columbia residents in
a recent poll favoured legalizing to decrease violence.

The public deserves more effort from journalists on this important
issue. Where are the questions about the cost and effectiveness of
these annual eradication efforts?

We've made the police our most expensive weed pullers, and even
enlist army personnel and helicopters at exorbitant cost.

"The continued prohibition of cannabis jeopardizes the health and
well-being of Canadians much more than does the substance itself."
This is from the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, 2002
(http://www.senatereport.ca)

That's an understatement. Cannabis is less harmful than chocolate
chip cookies or table salt.

Bruce Codere
Fox Creek, Alta.