PROHIBITION THE PROBLEM, NOT POT

Dear editor;

Re: "Grow ops stink", local runner fumes?

I am writing in response to Heather Fisher's letter.

I do not support grow ops in my community nor am I a user of
marijuana, like Heather, however, I disagree that the provincial and
municipal governments are being negligent in the fight against
organized crime.

Our police forces have cracked down severely on gang activity in our
communities. Grow ops are not the only contribution towards organized
crime.

While Heather mentions that she passes five or more grow-ops while out
running, how can she possibly count if she claims she cannot tell
which houses they are coming from because these grow ops are so
sophisticated that they vent into the sewers?

She clearly could not count the number of grow ops present in her
neighbourhood; for all she knows there could only be one.

The real reason these grow ops and organized crime exist in our
communities is because of cannabis prohibition. If the government
legalized marijuana they could properly control and tax sales on
marijuana causing gangs to lose profits and lessen criminal activity
overall.

Those who use marijuana aren't primarily using it as an escape
mechanism. There are many different kinds of people who use the drug;
some, much like they would a glass of wine at the end of the day, or
teenagers and young adults for entertainment at a party, some abuse
the substance, and some use it for medicinal purposes.

It is unfair to apply a stereotype to all users of marijuana. As far
as polluting the air, venting grow ops should not be at the top of the
list, there are obviously bigger factors contributing to the polluting
of the environment. Finally for Heather's children, there are drug
awareness programs in the school systems and much like smoking
cigarettes or drinking alcohol, inevitably it's their choice after
all.

Caroline Lester

Abbotsford