AN EYE-OPENER

This tragedy should serve as an eye-opener for Canadians, many of whom are
content to consume marijuana in blissful (and willful) ignorance of where
it's coming from.

I have hotly debated this issue with my twentysomething peers, who often
assure me that marijuana is grown in people's basements and closets with no
harm done.

As the events in Alberta and the Hells Angels' continuing domination of the
drug trade demonstrate, the reality is that marijuana production is a
criminal industry worth billions of dollars, not a bohemian botanical hobby.

The gravity of this situation, which has cost many lives, especially in
Quebec, needs to enter the minds of recreational pot smokers. Regardless of
one's position on the legal status of marijuana, I hope that conscientious
consumerism of marijuana can be expected, in the same way as when one buys
fairly traded or ethically manufactured goods. If not, the toll of
marijuana-related crimes is sure to rise and consumers will have to bear
their share of the responsibility.

Jesse Alexander,

Ottawa