north shore news Get hep to the value of hemp- Dear Editor: marijuana.resolutions2°"""- 7 Perhaps this issue should be left up to federal politicians to decide vs. municipal leaders, but I don’t really have a funda- mental problem with the North Vancouver District council exploring the subject. The fact that the motion about mari- juana actually passed should tell him something: People may just want change. He may Not want it or agree with it, but the forced-to-be-silent majority of people (especially here in B.C.) know that the propaganda campaign of talschoods against marijuana really ought to be cleaned up. For the record: Many global countries are currently re-thinking their positions in regards to the non-drug strain called hemp, in order to stop unnecessary deforestation for pulp and paper. Growing this plant in clearcut areas Protects against erosion because the deep tap roots hold soil in place, and hemp has MAIL BOX been shown to be afar superior building Re: Derek Andrews’ (Feb, 6) letter. rez. ~« mareriat Wood, metal, and plastic. Hemp seeds are an excellent food source (second only to soya beans in essential non-fatty acids and protein). Scientists are investigating its promis- ing-potential as a fossil fuel (ethanol) for cars, buses and tractors (far-more envi- ronmentally-friendiy than gas or diesel). Hemp is even a superior material for clothing (and doesn’t need anv pesticides like cotton, the “real horror plant” does). Make no mistake: pesticides kill humans and one quarter of all pesticides in North America are used to grow cot- ton. Mr. Andrews is right about marijuana being a drug — it causes “a chemical change in the body.” However, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco are three drugs that immediately come to mind which are far more potent and dangerous than marijuana. I fail to see how Mr. Andrews can speak of heroin and marijuana in the same sentence. They are not equal drugs in my mind, and I’m certain that the majority of the wt adecutennn enn “educated and uneducated population in this country and around the world would agree. Mr. Andrews’ Pandora’s Box analogy just doesn’t fit the brave Amsterdam experience, either. By all counts, soft and hard drug use is way down since they started to “tolerate” the soft drags of marijuana and hashish. Note thar it is vet legal, and that they have xever “advocated” drug use. They just believe in something that our society doesn’t: education and pre- senting all the facts upfront, so that peo: ple can make an informed decision. It’s time that people like Mr. Andrews realizes that kids are not stupid. The Draconian measures that North America has supported have never worked, and will never work. It’s time to try a new approach to deal with “the drug problem” and the vora- cious appetite that normal, productive, law-abiding citizens have with these types of controlled substances. Stephen N. Belch North Vancouver stevebelch@email.msn.com Unplug monopoly Mall expansion Dear Editor: I have just received my Rogers Cable TV bill with an ~ increase of $15.66 for a two- ~ month period. Without asking they tried to cancel my Cable Plus “Combo and replace it- with the’ Ultimate TV Pack, there was no explanation in the let- ter. Rogers seem to assume “and count on people just to - accept the switchover and do nothing about it. Mailbox policy To reach their switch- board is a time-consuming job, also quite awkward for alder people. Since Rogers hes monopoly on cable TV. They don’t seem to care about good customer rela- tions; their tactics are are unacceptable and [I am look- ing forward to an alternate service. Heinrich Ortmayr West Vancouver the LETTERS to the editor must be legible (preferably type- written) and include your name, full address and telephone number. Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot publish all letters. Submissions can be faxed to 985- support blasted Dear Editor: Your Feb. | editorial sup- porting the concepr of big box retailers in Park Royal mall will surely raise the ire of West Vancouver residents who are opposed to such additicns. Your comments are also very misleading, where you equate such diverse retail operations as London Drugs and Home Depot. There is a world of differ- ence between a store where customers leave with their purchases in a plastic bag, and one where many customers (for example contractors) cequire a large van or truck to collect conerete blocks, gyproc and lumber. These contractors will be attracted from as far way as Squamish and Whistler, which will mean using 15th Street, 21st Street or Taylor Way to reach Park Royal — the very thing West Vancouver municipality is try- ing to prevent. I cannot believe your newspaper would even con- sider afy support of this potentially disastrous Park Royal expansion project. Stan Ward West Vancouver Friday, February 20. 1998 — North Shore News — 14 “Well your Autoplan into {2 tiny pieces. With Autoplan 12 at BCAA, enjoy twelve easy payments, no bills, and easy budgeting. Also featuring: ¢ Reduced interest rate ® No renewal fee Nobody has you covered like BCAA 608 Park Royal North Phone: 268-5650 (exterior location between Canada Trust & The Bay) BORFER Planes _, 2104 but still must be signed and fully addressed. 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