A COUNTRY SHOCKED

Flags fly at half mast across Canada this week as we mourn the tragic death
of four Alberta RCMP members killed while investigating stolen property and
a possible marijuana grow operation.

Addressing delegates at this weekend's Liberal convention in Ottawa, Prime
Minister Paul Martin read out the names of each victim that "died in
service to their town, their neighbours, their province and their country."

A moment of silence afterward was followed by the singing of our national
anthem.

In the wake of the officers' deaths, an emotionally-charged debate has
re-emerged across the country over an age-old question: should marijuana be
legalized?

But could this travesty have been avoided if growing pot were a legal
industry in Canada? Some say we should have known better and that by
enforcing our prohibition laws, we had it coming.

There is now an Alberta-sponsored resolution calling for the federal
government to "fully legalize marijuana-and put illegal marijuana grow-ops
out of business." Next door in B.C., however, motions have been proposed
for tougher pot laws with minimum sentences for managers of grow-ops.

The BC Marijuana Party (BCMP) released a statement on Mar. 4 claiming that
"increased penalties and enforcement will virtually guarantee that Canada
has more of these tragic incidents."

"Look at the United States, with its drug-war mentality," says BCMP
President Marc Emery. "Police there are regularly shot while conducting
military-style raids in connection with the drug war. We must be careful
not to import that type of violence into Canada."

BC Civil Liberties Association President John Russell is also urging the
federal government to "demonstrate courage to boldly reform the law". "Make
no mistake," he says, "It is the prohibition of marijuana that caused this
tragedy.

Not surprisingly, both sides - for and against legalization - are saying
'shame on you' to one other for using this event to further their own agenda.

Whether pot will be legalized in Canada remains to be seen, as each side
continues to carry its torch.

Either way, it won't bring back the four Mounties.