Pubdate: Fri, 09 Mar 2001
Source: Kelowna Capital News (BC)
Copyright: 2001, Kelowna Capital News Ltd.
Contact:  2495 Enterprise Way, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 7K2
Fax: (250) 763-8469
Website: http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Author: Norm Siefken

MILLIONS WASTED IN DOPEY WAR ON POT

To the editor:

Re: "Penalties for pot growers rising" Mar. 5 Capital News.

It was sickening to read that the RCMP are obediently bowing down to
their American puppet masters and escalating the war on pot in
Kelowna. They should listen to the people of B.C. instead. Seventy per
cent favour ending this war against adults who prefer cannabis instead
of booze.

$65,000 per year is wasted to incarcerate just one marijuana offender.
Right now thousands of people are on waiting lists for operations and
medical scans. We are told that the money just isn't there to run
health care properly. Yet our government can waste millions of dollars
every day to continue this dopey war on pot. How many billions more
will be wasted before they realize that "victory" is an illusion?

Marijuana has become more popular than ever because it is a natural
herb and much safer than booze.

The provincial and federal governments must take full responsibility
for all of the fires and real estate damage done by growers. If they
simply allow adults to grow their own cannabis outdoors the problem
will be solved overnight.

Norm Siefken,
Chilliwack
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