GROWING MARIJUANA WAS A SIDE ISSUE

RE Reply to Russell Barth's Letter to the Editor (July 9): Actually, those
four Mounties killed in Mayerthorpe were on stolen auto-parts duty.

The fact the killer happened to be growing a few marijuana plants was a
side issue (and toxicology reports later found he had no cannabis in his
system at all) but if people will recall, some officials and columnists
tried to make hay of this angle -- while the bodies of those officers were
still on the ground -- by calling for tougher laws to enforce prohibition.

That is, of course, until the public reaction to this tragedy and the crass
opportunism by officials such as Anne McLellan and others backfired, and
Canadians began to seriously consider legalizing marijuana. Of course,
these officials quickly changed their tune as this message didn't serve
their political purpose -- continuing the failed war on plants. Canadians,
however, have longer memories.

Legalization will be an election issue come the spring, after Justice John
Gomery has reported, and when the prime minister said he would call an
election.

Tim Meehan

Candidate, Ottawa South

Marijuana Party of Canada

(Our reply's intent was to highlight the fact that the grow-op situation in
Canada should not be taken lightly. Police have estimated that they find
weapons in 80-90% of grow ops they raid)