Pubdate: Mon, 11 Jul 2005
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Tim Meehan
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1093/a03.html?91322

GROWING MARIJUANA WAS A SIDE ISSUE

RE Reply to Russell Barth's Letter to the Editor (July 9): Actually, those 
four Mounties killed in Mayerthorpe were on stolen auto-parts duty.

The fact the killer happened to be growing a few marijuana plants was a 
side issue (and toxicology reports later found he had no cannabis in his 
system at all) but if people will recall, some officials and columnists 
tried to make hay of this angle -- while the bodies of those officers were 
still on the ground -- by calling for tougher laws to enforce prohibition.

That is, of course, until the public reaction to this tragedy and the crass 
opportunism by officials such as Anne McLellan and others backfired, and 
Canadians began to seriously consider legalizing marijuana. Of course, 
these officials quickly changed their tune as this message didn't serve 
their political purpose -- continuing the failed war on plants. Canadians, 
however, have longer memories.

Legalization will be an election issue come the spring, after Justice John 
Gomery has reported, and when the prime minister said he would call an 
election.

Tim Meehan

Candidate, Ottawa South

Marijuana Party of Canada

(Our reply's intent was to highlight the fact that the grow-op situation in 
Canada should not be taken lightly. Police have estimated that they find 
weapons in 80-90% of grow ops they raid)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom