Pubdate: Fri, 31 May 2013
Source: Record, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.royalcityrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1654
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n234/a06.html
Author: Jerry Eberts

ARRESTS A WASTE OF RESOURCES

Dear Editor:

Re: Police arrest three, The Record, May 29.

Mayor Wayne Wright and council: I am writing to you to say I am 
shocked and saddened that at a time when most Canadians - and I am 
sure most residents of New Westminster - are overwhelmingly in favour 
of overhauling the antiquated and ridiculous laws against cannabis, 
you would waste our limited police resources to raid the N.I.C.E. 
dispensary on 12th Street on May 23.

Apart from the recommendations of the last six mayors of Vancouver 
and uncounted other politicians across Canada (indeed, the western 
world), the people have again and again voiced a majority opinion 
that the laws forbidding the sale of marijuana for personal use, 
especially in a medical context, is simply not something about which 
our elected officials and police should bother.

As a resident of New West and a taxpayer, I strongly disagree with 
the actions taken against the dispensary. Please don't proceed with 
this pointless and harmful prosecution of those involved in the 
running of this shop.

 From a personal point of view, I will tell you that my now deceased 
mother suffered through 11 years battling cancer, and cannabis was 
beneficial to her in many ways. That you would wilfully come between 
people who are genuinely suffering and this unique and highly 
effective medicine is not only personally offensive to me, but 
morally reprehensible.

I can find no sane reason for such a police action. That this stupid 
law remains on the books is testament merely to how ignorant the 
lawmakers were of just a few decades ago.

I implore you to drop this matter and allow the N.I.C.E. dispensary 
to continue to provide a safe, secure and above-ground place for 
people to purchase their medicine.

Thank you for your attention.

Jerry Eberts, New Westminster
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom