CANADIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT POT

Re: Pot activist's bail set at $50,000, Aug. 3

I do not smoke marijuana nor am I a fan of Marc Emery. There is, however, a
bigger issue of concern to me regarding his recent arrest in Nova Scotia.

I"m aware of the relevant extradition agreements between Canada and the
United States. However, I question the application of these agreements in
this case.

Canada is in the midst of a major public debate about marijuana laws. How
is it possible, therefore, that we would give in to a demand by a foreign
power to arrest a Canadian citizen who, coincidentally or not, happens to
be central to the debate?

It is time to make clear to the Americans that Canadians might be going in
a different direction than they are with respect to marijuana laws -- no
apologies, end of story.

It is clear to anyone who researches this issue in any depth that the
sanest public policy Canada could adopt is to legalize and control the sale
of marijuana. The lessons learned from the era of alcohol prohibition
should not be forgotten.

If buying seeds over the Internet -- which results in U.S. crops grown by
U.S. citizens -- is against American law, then arrest the buyers and
growers there rather than imposing U.S. laws on Canadian citizens. We can
take care of our own here, thank you very much.

S. Claire McInnes

Kamloops