QUIT THE SOCIAL ENGINEERING

RE "7 Convicted in pot bust," (Dec. 4): Your report about some people being
sentenced to jail for growing plants in the old Molson brewery neglected to
mention if any of the principals jailed had previous criminal records for
growing the modern version of bathtub gin.

These types of sentences are the exception, not the norm, and thank
goodness for that. Judges still seem to have some degree of independence.
Of course if Anne McLellan, the Conservative Party and the police unions
had their way, they would turn our justice system into kangaroo courts.

Legalizing it would be too easy, they say, and would send the "wrong
message." I have a tip for them: if they want to send a message, call
Western Union. Let's quit the social engineering and stop criminalizing
popular and harmless conduct.

Tim Meehan, Director of Communications, The National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws in Canada

(Wishful thinking)