POLICE CHIEFS RUBBISH

THE ONTARIO Association of Police Chiefs warns us to prepare for a
"long, hot, violent summer" due to legal pot smoking (June 18). What
rubbish!

What evidence exists to show people smoking marijuana become violent?
What evidence exists to show more people will smoke pot now that it's
decriminalized? Will smoking pot somehow make the summer hotter?

Anyone irresponsible enough to drive under the influence of marijuana
would likely drive under the influence of any controlled substance.
Why the scare tactics? Do they not have enough criminals to chase
right now? Do they not think there have always been impaired drivers
on our roads? They're out there right now.

Decriminalizing marijuana was meant to free people from having
criminal records for simple possession - criminal records that can
prevent them from travelling to other countries, applying for certain
jobs, or from submitting to background checks for volunteer positions.

It also frees up the courts and the police to prosecute real
criminals. It is no more criminal to smoke a joint than it is to drink
a martini.

To say they can't stop a 12-year-old from smoking a joint in the
school yard is ridiculous. They do have the right to confiscate
marijuana, and it is still an illegal substance. Decriminalization has
not made it anymore available than it already was.

As for reliable roadside testing, they'd best get busy working on it.
But please don't forget to check for cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy, and the
many other illegal substances people are using.

L. Rogers

(Gee, more cops available to go after real criminals. What a concept!)