PROHIBITION DANGEROUS

Re: "Zapping grow-ops," Oct.15

Frank Bucholtz sings the praises of the Surrey fire chief thus: "His
single-minded focus on the public safety aspect of grow-ops is a boon
to law-abiding Surrey citizens, far too many of whom have been forced
to put up with one or more grow-ops near their homes."

Unfortunately, Mr Bucholtz neglected to mention that, as the
well-intentioned crusade pushes the small-time, amateur growers out
of the market, organized crime is handed an increased share of said market.

Result? Increased profits for the big guys, more violence and
unchanged marijuana use.

Some boon.

When are supposedly intelligent and sophisticated opinion leaders
like Frank Bucholtz going to realize that the most effective way to
curb the dangers of marijuana, caused mostly by the law prohibiting
it, is to legalize it?

Alan Randell