BETTER POT PUNISHMENT NEEDED

The Editor,

If the marijuana grown in the lower mainland were only for recreational use
or to alleviate medical problems, then we would not have the magnitude of
the problem we are now experiencing.

Eighty per cent of the marijuana grown is shipped out of the country in
exchange for hard drugs like cocaine or for the illegal gun trade. Knock
yourself out with the other 20 per cent but not until the real problem has
been dealt with.

We must appreciate the danger these grow operations bring to our city
through fire, chemical exposure, gang-related violence or theft. Grow
operators make terrible neighbours, they could not care less about the
health and wellbeing of the people or environment around them. Legalizing
marijuana locally wouldn't even put a dent in the business of these
international criminals.

It boils down to a lack of appropriate punishment for the crime. We must
insist that our federal government and the judicial system change the laws
to impose strict penalties on these criminals. The criminals will only
continue to operate if it is profitable and there is no threat of punishment.

N. Knaggs, Coquitlam