Pubdate: Wed, 02 May 2007 Source: Sentinel, The (UK) Copyright: 2007 Northcliffe Electronic Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.thesentinel.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3485 Author: D. Wood CANNABIS FIGHT IS ALREADY LOST Re: the story headlined Hunt for drug barons, Friday, April 27. When I saw The Sentinel news bills outside the newsagents on Friday, declaring: Drug barons target city, I expected to read about crack cocaine or heroin, but no, it's those pesky cannabis plants grabbing the headlines again. The report included the police admitting just what an easy target otherwise law-abiding cannabis growers are. "We would have just kicked in the door, taken the plants, made an arrest and we wouldn't have gone beyond that."This is not to mention the devastating effect on the family, court appearances, a hefty sentence, and a conviction which can lead to losing jobs (in healthcare, teaching, etc) and possible evictions, as well as an average cost of UKP4,000 per tax payer - well done there! Now, it's becoming more difficult for them, because "surprise, surprise", criminal gangs are cashing in on the huge demand for cannabis in the UK, and setting up houses full of the stuff. Police suggest that if they keep fighting this battle "hopefully there will be fewer people buying it, and less money to be made here". The battle is lost, and I suggest that people don't want more money wasted busting cannabis growers, as an easy way of achieving conviction targets. If cannabis was legal, it would have no attraction to criminal gangs. Leave it to those who want to use it to make themselves feel a little better, and for heaven's sake chill out - it's just a plant. D WOOD Stoke-on-Trent - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake