Pubdate: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 Source: Guelph Mercury (CN ON) Copyright: 2013 Metroland Media Group Ltd. Contact: http://www.guelphmercury.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1418 Author: Russell Barth POT SMOKERS REJECT POLICE CHIEFS' OFFER Dear editor: Re: Police chiefs support tickets for pot possession - Aug. 21 An open letter to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police: Last week, they suggested handing out tickets for marijuana users instead of laying charges. Here's a better idea: Leave marijuana users alone and go do some real police work, you lazy cowards. Seriously, women are being sexually assaulted and going missing; kids are living with monstrous villains; people are sick on the street because prohibition has made the cities awash with smack and meth and crack; human trafficking abounds; corporate criminals are destroying the planet and evading taxes; and you clowns walk around wasting your time laying marijuana charges or issuing warnings. It is disgusting and embarrassing, and you should all be deeply ashamed of yourselves. On top of that, every grow operation you bust subsidizes the guys you didn't bust. You know this. Your own data proves it. Any eight-year-old could figure this out, but you continue to publicly lie and tout prohibition as the solution to all of the problems caused by prohibition. It is disgusting, and your lying should be illegal. Meanwhile, little kids walk around drinking Red Bull and Monster, getting fat on junk food and often smoking tobacco right on school property, and you let that all go. Because it is legal. But someone smokes a joint in public and they suddenly have to deal with some officer who usually treats them like they are second-class citizens. Well, we're not second class. Actually, marijuana users are better than non-users: we're healthier, sexier, smarter, more creative, and longer-lived. History and science shows that. That isn't an opinion, it is fact - we're better than other people. So, on behalf of every pot user in Canada, I hereby reject your offer to lengthen our leash. We want equality with coffee drinkers, and we will not settle until we have it. Russell Barth Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom