PROHIBITION BASIS FOR ORGANIZED CRIME

Dear Editor,

Solicitor General Rich Coleman said, "Marijuana grow ops are the basis
of organized crime" [Hydroponics under scrutiny, Oct. 7, Langley
Advance News].

This is such a crock that, if it wasn't for the fact that people's
freedoms were riding on this, it would be laughable.

The true basis for organized crime is the laws enabling prohibition.
Without prohibition, Mr. Coleman could not use this cheap excuse.

Mr. Coleman needs to get real. Prohibition does one thing besides
keeping crime afloat: it ensures job security for those whose careers
depend upon crime flourishing.

If Mr. Coleman is so concerned about lessening crime and creating a
safer world for "our children," why isn't he pushing for the
legalization of cannabis so that organized crime would no longer be
the cannabis controller.

Your only choices are legalize, or strip citizens of our freedoms and
regulate every move we make.

Eric Knudsen

Minnesota, USA