LEGISLATION BLAMED FOR GROW OPS

To the editor;

Regarding 'What Is A Marihuana Home Grow Operation?', in the
Star/Jouranl June 21st, 2010 edition.

One would think that when the RCMP encourages members of their
communities to take notice of unusual activities or the tell-tale
signs of a marihuana grow operation, and to contact police directly or
call Crimestoppers, they would be obligated to be forthright with the
people they are effectively asking to be their eyes. Unfortunately,
that is not the case.

Marihuana grow operations are the direct result of the way Ottawa
legislates cannabis (marajuana); so is the enormous rise in the number
of youth that are able to access the substance. This legislation
enables and enriches organized crime; violence, home invasions and
petty crime become the norm.

The fact is, every negative aspect which was portrayed in the article
is the direct result of the way cannabis is legislated, not the substance.

The RCMP fail to mention the fact that their executive and association
also lobbies government to maintain the law as it is.

The manner in which cannabis is legislated guarantees a perpetual drug
war in communities right across Canada.

The law is supposed to mitigate situations, not exasperate them, and
that is precisely what legislation pertaining to cannabis has done.

Wayne Phillips

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