FIGHTING BACK AGAINST GROW-OPS

I write in response to the recent tragic murders of the young RCMP officers
in Alberta. Were their deaths meaningless?

A recent article in a national magazine debates whether the Canadian drug
laws are adequate, whether the courts deal harshly enough with offenders,
and with the need to hire more police to enforce the laws.

Much of the controversy surrounds the marijuana growing operations and the
fear that if the penalties are too severe, the grow-ops will be driven
underground and will be taken over by organized crime.

If we are worried about organized crime taking over the growing operations,
there is a solution.

Organized crime normally ties itself to anything where it can make a large
profit.

If, on conviction, the bank accounts of the convicted felons were seized
and forfeited, the profit aspect would be removed. No longer would it seem
so attractive to the crooks.

We don't seem to be able to make our minds up whether marijuana possession,
distributing and growing is serious enough to be considered a criminal
offence, and if it is, what punishment should accompany a conviction.

Until politicians and the courts come to a firm consensus, a great many
police officers will be left in limbo, knowing that they may be risking
their lives for convictions that bear about the same level of penalty as a
traffic offence.

Joseph Lederman

Plattsville