HTTP/1.0 200 OK
Content-Type: text/html
Pot And Murder
Pubdate: Tue, 27 Sep 2005
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2005 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Roszko (James Roszko)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
POT AND MURDER
CANADIANS can understand why relatives of the four Mounties slain in March
in Mayerthorpe, Alta. would demand the federal government scrap its plan to
decriminalize marijuana. The families believe tougher drug laws may save
police lives. But there is no evidence to suggest that to be true. Justice
Minister Irwin Cotler should stay on course.
Canada's existing marijuana law was not involved in the slayings of the
officers at the farm of James Roszko March 3. Mr. Roszko was discovered to
be harbouring a grow operation only after police were on his property,
after being called by a bailiff attempting to seize his truck. The grow
operation and stolen auto parts were discovered on the property and the
officers remained there overnight. That was when Mr. Roszko, widely known
in town as a violent cop-hater with a hair-trigger temper, snuck back, shot
the officers and later killed himself.
Rev. Don Schiemann, whose son Peter was among the officers ambushed, is
leading the charge to pressure the federal Liberals to abort a bill that
will decriminalize pot possessed for personal use. Mr. Cotler's bill would
increase the maximum jail term for those who operate marijuana farms to 14
years, but the families want, among other measures, a mandatory minimum
sentence of two years.
James Roszko was a dangerous man who possessed weapons, hated cops and
threatened and intimidated people. A convicted sex offender, he had escaped
charges of violence when a witness failed to appear in court. The threat of
two years in jail for growing marijuana would not have changed the tragic
outcome of the ambush in Mayerthorpe.
Mr. Roszko's murderous rampage aside, judges have ample latitude to deal
with marijuana growers and, increasingly, they do not. Society is showing
greater tolerance for pot smokers and sellers because many people know the
evidence about pot: like alcohol, it is a minor threat to the health of
smokers. Many people hold marijuana prohibition in contempt and act
accordingly.
Mr. Cotler should decriminalize pot use. Criminals might quit marijuana
production and trade if it were regulated like alcohol and tobacco. Then
police officers would not risk their lives enforcing a marijuana law that
has declining support and effect in Canada.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom