Pubdate: Thu, 10 Mar 2005
Source: Smithers Interior News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.interior-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1631
Author: Todd Hamilton, Managing Editor, Time Out
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POT IS NOT THE ISSUE

Nothing is more reprehensible than making political hay out of a tragedy. 
But that's exactly what some potheads are doing. The corpses of four slain 
RCMP officers were still lying on the frozen ground in Northern Alberta 
when the press releases came flying off the fax machine.

"Make no mistake. It is the prohibition of marijuana that caused this 
tragedy," wrote B.C. Civil Liberties Association president John Russell. 
"Rather than reducing any harms associated with drug use, criminal 
prohibition on marijuana create an incredible incentive for criminal 
elements to get into the supply business."

And then came the B.C. Marijuana Party's paper rolling off the fax machine:

"The shootings would likely never ocurred if marijuana were able to be 
grown legally in an above-ground, regulated market," Marc Emery, B.C. 
Marijuana Party president stated.

Frankly, the thought came to mind to take the two press releases and 
instead of rolling something in it and smoking it, to use it for another 
human purpose, but flushing may be an issue.

Toke, don't toke - personally I couldn't care less. But to try to use a 
tragedy of these proportions to make even the slightest point is so 
repugnant, one quickly realizes Emery and Russell have to be smoking something.

Just a couple of weeks ago, New Hazelton RCMP were in a situation very much 
like the fallen heroes of Mayerthorpe, Alta.

A grow-op, guns and a wanted fugitive... the same elements of the Alberta 
tragedy were all there. Fortunately our local heroes managed to put the 
cuffs on the suspect, and everybody except the alleged criminal, went home 
safe and sound to their families.

Let's be clear.

These four dead RCMP officers are not a marijuana issue. It's not about 
laws, politics or personal opinion.

This is about one person so socially deviant, he fired upon and killed four 
police officers.

If, as Emery and Russell suggest, marijuana was legal, this murderer would 
have found another illegal activity to make his money. And still those RCMP 
officers would have done their jobs.

It has nothing to do with the pot. It has to do with one of our worst who 
decided to kill four of our finest.

To try and disguise this as a marijuana issue is an apalling disservice to 
four fine men.

Next time Emery and Russell issue a press release, they may want to smoke 
the joint after they write it.

Tip Of The Tuque:

The hunt for Mel Gibson has proven fruitless, however, the stories continue 
to pour in. One wonders if Disney-fever isn't causing hallucinations. 
According to another uninformed source, Christopher Walken took over Boston 
Pizza last week.

Regardless, during my Thursday night karaoke search, I did run into Paul 
Walker, the star of Antarctica.

Walker was doing more than his fair share of handshaking with the Smithers 
equivalent of the paparazzi. He was cordial and affable... and without a posse.

Now if we can only get the Disney boys to cooperate, we'll get an 
interview... heck, I'll even throw in a free tuque for Mickey.
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MAP posted-by: Beth