WHY DIDN'T RCMP LAY CHARGES?

I was somewhat appalled that the recent marijuana rally was allowed to
proceed unchecked.

Possession of marijuana is an offence under the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act, and allowing it to occur in City Hall Park, where tourists
and local residents take young children, is unthinkable.

Notwithstanding that, the use of cannabis has never been conclusively
proven not to be detrimental to your health. There have been studies and
theories that it may, in fact, be a gateway drug leading to the use and
addiction of more harmful narcotics such as cocaine and heroin.

Laws are not to be selectively obeyed and enforced due to personal preference.

Laws have to be obeyed or we have the beginnings of anarchy. If you have a
concern with what you deem to be an inappropriate piece of legislation, the
avenue of remedy is to lobby your elected member of Parliament.

Rubbing the nose of the national police force in the dirt by having an
illegal protest utilizing an illegal substance so near the downtown RCMP
detachment headquarters should not be tolerated.

This begs the question, based on the Advocate's reporting of the events:
was there at least a police presence, let alone any enforcement of the law?

There is a precedent. Several years ago three lone members of the RCMP
attended the 4/20 protest; arrests were made; charges were laid and the
crowd was dispersed.

This was accomplished professionally and with no use of force whatsoever. I
have no concerns about a peaceful lawful protest, following acceptable
legal procedures.

I do have concerns as a taxpayer of activities such as this rally going
unchecked.

Edwin Cole

Red Deer County