EDITORIAL'S CRITICISM OF CHEECH AND CHONG ABSURD

I am disappointed to see educated reporters like yourselves jump to
conclusions so quickly and fail to see the bigger picture (Cheech and
Chong, Just Say So Long, We Say editorial, July 20).

First, you branded two extremely successful international comedians
simply as stoners and as such took the same ignorant route that our
prime minister and policy makers have for the last 50 years.

The article goes on to criticize Cheech specifically because he is
American and therefore shouldn't have the right to criticize our prime
minister. This is absurd. First, our marijuana policies are a direct
result of the War on Drugs, which was started by U.S. President
Richard Nixon with his creation of the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The irony in your opinion is that the DEA actually has two offices in
Canada; yes, U.S. government agencies stretching their arms across our
border.

Secondly, activists like Marc Emery have criticized U.S. cannabis laws
for years and he even provided funding for legalization groups in the
U.S.

Until very recent changes in the U.S. (including the upcoming
legalization initiative in California), the finger has largely been
pointed at the U.S. for the trillions of dollars Canadian and American
taxpayers have forked out in the marijuana war.

Since the Conservatives have taken power, Canada has operated as a
puppet state in regards to former president Bush administration's view
on marijuana.

I have never heard a media outcry when Canadians have criticized
Bush's (or any other president's) cannabis policy.

Finally, if Harper is going to continue to push an outdated,
prohibitionist agenda and continue to put non-violent people behind
bars for choosing a substance less destructive and addictive than
alcohol or tobacco, you can bet he is going to get flack for it.

We are a major country and our laws have an influence on the world
just as the U.S. has had on ours and you can be certain that everyone
will have an opinion about it, Canadian or not.

KEVIN ADAMSON

Kamloops