Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 Source: North Thompson Star/Journal (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Black Press Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/i4mAe7d5 Website: http://www.starjournal.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1231 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n474/a04.html Author: Wayne Phillips LEGISLATION BLAMED FOR GROW OPS To the editor; Regarding 'What Is A Marihuana Home Grow Operation?', in the Star/Jouranl June 21st, 2010 edition. One would think that when the RCMP encourages members of their communities to take notice of unusual activities or the tell-tale signs of a marihuana grow operation, and to contact police directly or call Crimestoppers, they would be obligated to be forthright with the people they are effectively asking to be their eyes. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Marihuana grow operations are the direct result of the way Ottawa legislates cannabis (marajuana); so is the enormous rise in the number of youth that are able to access the substance. This legislation enables and enriches organized crime; violence, home invasions and petty crime become the norm. The fact is, every negative aspect which was portrayed in the article is the direct result of the way cannabis is legislated, not the substance. The RCMP fail to mention the fact that their executive and association also lobbies government to maintain the law as it is. The manner in which cannabis is legislated guarantees a perpetual drug war in communities right across Canada. The law is supposed to mitigate situations, not exasperate them, and that is precisely what legislation pertaining to cannabis has done. Wayne Phillips Received by email - --- MAP posted-by: Matt