POLITICAL FUROR SPARKED

EDMONTON -- Alberta Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko wants Ottawa to put an
immediate halt to plans to decriminalize possession of small amounts of
marijuana. Cenaiko made the plea yesterday, in a phone call with Deputy
Prime Minister Anne McLellan, after 300 pot plants worth $1 million were
found at the farm where four Mounties were gunned down Thursday.

"Tragically, it has taken this horrific incident to illustrate to the
public the seriousness of marijuana grow operations, methamphetamine
production and other facets of crime," Cenaiko said. "In the wake of this
tragedy, now is not the time for the federal government to weaken illegal
drug legislation."

McLellan said while the federal government has introduced a law to
decriminalize cannabis possession, Ottawa is open to amendments.

"What we are doing is enhancing the Criminal Code provisions by increasing
the maximum sentences that courts can levy (against growers)," she told
reporters.

"In fact we were putting the onus on the courts ... to take this crime
seriously. This is not a victimless crime and, therefore, I think the
judiciary needs to start to reflect the harsh reality of illegal grow-ops."

McLellan spoke at the Liberal policy convention where delegates today will
debate a resolution -- from the Alberta wing of the party -- to legalize pot.

"This is hysteria," said Marc Emery, leader of the Marijuana Party and now
a card-carrying Liberal. "The bodies are hardly even cold and already they
want to imprison tens of thousands more people for growing marijuana.

"If it were legal, we wouldn't have any these social problems. So I regard
this as the ultimate political exploitation.

"They create the problems through prohibition. They see the consequences of
the prohibition -- the violence -- and then they punish the people who are
already victims of prohibition, that is the marijuana growers, consumers
and sellers."

Federal Tory Leader Stephen Harper rejected a suggestion the officers would
be alive today if pot was legalized.

"I think that we're dealing with a very -- it sounds to me from what little
we know -- we're dealing with a very dangerous and disturbed individual. I
don't think that is a rational conclusion to draw," Harper said.

"I don't want to link this to that issue."

WHAT THEY SAID

"It is time that our government take a stand on evil." Colleen Myrol,
mother of slain RCMP Const. Brock Myrol.

"I hope he rots in hell for what he has done to our community. He ruined
our town." Tracy Eisert, resident of Mayerthorpe, Alta.

"All these emotions just came flooding back and my heart really went out to
the families. I just wanted to jump in a vehicle and go and be with them."
Teresa Strongquill, daughter of Manitoba RCMP Const. Dennis Strongquill,
who was killed in the line of duty in 2001.

"We shall always remember their sacrifice." Darryl da Costa, acting chief,
Edmonton Police Service.

"This loss is an unspeakable tragedy." Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

"I am deeply saddened by this senseless and devastating event." Nfld.
Premier Danny Williams.

"Together, as citizens and as a society, we must continue to seek an end to
the threat and injustice drug-related crimes bring to our neighbourhoods
and communities across the country. That is precisely the goal these four
officers were pursuing when they fell, and as Canadians we owe it to their
memory to continue their work." B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.

"Both the province of Alberta and the Government of Canada, in
collaboration with residents and RCMP detachments of Whitecourt and
Mayerthorpe, must immediately promise to provide the funding necessary to
establish permanent community-oriented facilities in each community, in
lasting honour of these four brave and wonderful RCMP personnel." Bruce
Hogle, chairman Alberta Press Council.