Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2005 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Brad Snider Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?216 (CN Police) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LEGALIZE MARIJUANA I am really saddened by the loss of the four RCMP officers. But I don't agree that the answer is harsher crackdowns on marijuana grow-ops. That would only lead to more violence and deaths in what is, in the end, a futile and pointless war on drugs. These operations are only a menace because they are illegal. I would prefer that the police stop trying to protect me from what amounts to a greenhouse, similar to those that supply tomatoes, and focus instead on real crime. Legalize, regulate, and get this business out of the hands of organized crime. It worked with alcohol in the 1930s and it will work again. Brad Snider, Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager