Pubdate: Mon, 23 Sep 2002
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Authors: Jim Hanson and Ruth Hanson

MARIJUANA RAIDS WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY

It was with disgust we read the Sept. 20 article "Police sorry for
grow-op mistake."

A Canadian Senate committee has called for legalizing marijuana and an
amnesty for everyone convicted of cannabis possession, noting that
marijuana poses less of a health threat than either alcohol or tobacco
The Ontario Court of Appeal, meanwhile, has ruled that people who
require marijuana for medical reasons have a constitutional right of
access to the plant.

Yet, unbelievably, the police continue to march into the homes of
ordinary citizens, guns drawn, handcuffing the occupants, looking for
marijuana. All this was based on the "observations" of one person.
Apparently, we are not safe even in our own homes.

How many tax dollars have been wasted on this and other raids? Could
not this money be put to so many better uses? How many officers, how
many cars, were assigned to this unwarranted enforcement effort and
who do they think they're protecting -- and from what? What crimes are
they unable to investigate because they're too busy invading homes
looking for a house plant?

History will look with disbelief at the current state of the marijuana
laws and the current actions of the "marijuana police."

Jim and Ruth Hanson

Burnaby
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