LEGALIZATION IS THE ONLY CURE

Re: Police crackdown on grow-ops

First, kudos on presenting a view that differs from the official
police line, with your quotes from Dana Larsen and Marc Emery. The
other paper that covered this story, which shall remain nameless,
didn't bother to print any alternative views.

It is important that your readers understand that every time they read
about violence associated with grow-ops, or hear reports of unsafe
wiring, the blame must be laid at the feet of government
policy-makers.

Prohibition has been an abject failure and, as the Senate recently
concluded, causes society more harm than good. When police and city
officials decide to waste their scarce resources and our tax dollars
waging war on a plant, we should be outraged. When Parliament refuses
to do the right thing - legalize marijuana for adult use - we all suffer.

We suffer because prohibition causes harm. We suffer because freedom
is trampled. We suffer because sick people are denied access to their
medicine (some grow-ops exist to supply compassion clubs). We suffer
because our tax dollars are wasted and a substantial source of tax
revenue is ignored.

It is time that we abandoned the failed prohibitionist policies of the
past and move in a new direction. Legalization and regulation of the
marijuana industry is the only practical remedy to the problems of
black market violence and unsafe grow operations.

Kirk Tousaw

Policy Director

BC Civil Liberties Association