Pubdate: Tue, 08 Mar 2005 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Jesse Alexander Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) AN EYE-OPENER This tragedy should serve as an eye-opener for Canadians, many of whom are content to consume marijuana in blissful (and willful) ignorance of where it's coming from. I have hotly debated this issue with my twentysomething peers, who often assure me that marijuana is grown in people's basements and closets with no harm done. As the events in Alberta and the Hells Angels' continuing domination of the drug trade demonstrate, the reality is that marijuana production is a criminal industry worth billions of dollars, not a bohemian botanical hobby. The gravity of this situation, which has cost many lives, especially in Quebec, needs to enter the minds of recreational pot smokers. Regardless of one's position on the legal status of marijuana, I hope that conscientious consumerism of marijuana can be expected, in the same way as when one buys fairly traded or ethically manufactured goods. If not, the toll of marijuana-related crimes is sure to rise and consumers will have to bear their share of the responsibility. Jesse Alexander, Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: Beth