Pubdate: Fri, 14 Apr 2006
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Chris Kennedy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

GROW-OP BILL WILL HURT ECONOMY

The provincial government has passed a bill that gives B.C. Hydro the 
right to report to municipalities the suspicious use of electricity. 
This will, in effect, allow local fire departments and police to 
crash down on people that they suspect are using their residences as 
marijuana grow-ops.

Justice will triumph. "Criminals" will be put in jail. Our American 
friends, who have exerted influence on the government, will be 
pleased. Fireman and police will build impressive resumes. Our 
second-largest industry will, well, go up in smoke.

The mom and pop grow-op will be no more. They will be in jail, 
unemployed, or on welfare. Some will go bankrupt. Not only will the 
government diminish our most notorious industry -- it will create 
massive social havoc in the one fell swoop. Pot prices will rise. 
Potheads -- unable to afford the weed -- will turn to crack and 
crystal meth. More crime will ensue.

It seems that our justice system and our policy makers have been 
hijacked by American interests. Campbell and his cronies have begun a 
process which will destroy the economy and cause undue strain upon 
social programs. Just like America!

Our province will respond by building more jails and deleting most of 
the remaining social programs. The corporate and political interests 
that have driven the bill in no way reflect the interests of the 
people of British Columbia. Regardless, the government will consider 
the bill, and its impact, a success.

Chris Kennedy

Tofino.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman