POT IS SAFE AND SHOULD BE LEGAL

Editor:

The tragedy of March 3 shocked the nation. What is more shocking is the
sudden uproar against marijuana grow ops in Canada.

The real cause of the problem -- the danger to the RCMP -- stems from the
prohibition of marijuana itself. Marijuana is much less harmful than
alcohol and tobacco combined. The only dangers associated with marijuana
come from prohibition. It is safe to consume, and there are over four
million Canadians who choose to do so.

To stiffen the penalties for growers, rather than legalizing and regulating
it to be sold in a safe, controlled marketplace is a crime against society.
Marijuana growing is a $7-billion industry in B.C. alone. If the black
market is making those enormous profits from something as harmless as
marijuana, why do we continue to put people in jail for it at a cost of
$35,000 a year per person? Why not use the tax dollars to be made from
this? There is no record in the history of mankind of someone dying from
marijuana use. The same cannot be said for alcohol and tobacco.

It is time to legalize it so the entire nation can prosper. Then madmen
like James Roszko will not be responsible for growing the marijuana we
consume, thus preventing the RCMP from encountering dangerous grow ops.

CHARLIE CHRISTENSEN

Lethbridge