IS THE COST OF WAR ON WEED WORTH THE PRICE?

Editor:

Forty per cent of all Canadian 15 year olds admit to having used
marijuana. It is a commodity that many Canadians want.

The United States Homeland Security Department is in the process of
pouring over $1 billion into Bellingham to upgrade their land, sea
and air surveillance of this sector of their border. In spite of the
hundreds of cameras and remote controlled drones marijuana is flowing
into their country. Local prices have almost doubled in the last year.

The government of Canada seizes tens of millions of dollars worth of
real estate in Chilliwack every year under the Banned Substance Act.
To no avail.

The City of Chilliwack has deprived tenants of their privacy rights,
and, puts the lives of landlords at risk by requiring them to do the
work of the police department.

Although it often takes three or more months for the police to
respond to a call on their "tips line," the city is promoting a
stassi-like "Block Watch," where neighbours spy on neighbours. Now it
wants to register the lights Aunt Nell uses for her aspidistras and
Uncle Harry uses for his tomatoes.

It is time we ask ourselves whether the damage done by prying into
the privacy of our citizens and depriving them of their rights is
greater than the harm done by the marijuana?

To date no one has been convicted of impaired driving, beaten his
wife robbed a bank while under the influence of marijuana.

Are the resources consumed fighting production, sale and possession
of marijuana worth the price? Whatever we are doing, it is not working.

Clifford Roulston

Chilliwack