Dear Editor:
Re: Police arrest three, The Record, May 29. Mayor Wayne Wright and council: I am writing to you to say I am shocked and saddened that at a time when most Canadians - and I am sure most residents of New Westminster - are overwhelmingly in favour of overhauling the antiquated and ridiculous laws against cannabis, you would waste our limited police resources to raid the N.I.C.E. dispensary on 12th Street on May 23.
Apart from the recommendations of the last six mayors of Vancouver and uncounted other politicians across Canada (indeed, the western world), the people have again and again voiced a majority opinion that the laws forbidding the sale of marijuana for personal use, especially in a medical context, is simply not something about which our elected officials and police should bother.
As a resident of New West and a taxpayer, I strongly disagree with the actions taken against the dispensary. Please don't proceed with this pointless and harmful prosecution of those involved in the running of this shop.
From a personal point of view, I will tell you that my now deceased mother suffered through 11 years battling cancer, and cannabis was beneficial to her in many ways. That you would wilfully come between people who are genuinely suffering and this unique and highly effective medicine is not only personally offensive to me, but morally reprehensible.
I can find no sane reason for such a police action. That this stupid law remains on the books is testament merely to how ignorant the lawmakers were of just a few decades ago.
I implore you to drop this matter and allow the N.I.C.E. dispensary to continue to provide a safe, secure and above-ground place for people to purchase their medicine.
Thank you for your attention.
Jerry Eberts, New Westminster
