Re "High rise housed a $1M grow op," (July 16):

Having retired from law enforcement more than a decade ago, and having been one of Canada's first 20 people to receive a licence to grow and use marijuana as medicine many years ago, I see absolutely nothing has changed with the war on drugs. People are still taking advantage of the easy market involved with the "grow your own" marijuana culture, are more than familiar with the millions of dollars to be made in this prohibited list of substances and this story is a prime example.

Exemptees like myself are targeted daily for different reasons regarding our choice of cannabis as medicine, strictly because of people like these. We go into extreme debt trying to take care of our cannabis needs and our health all the time ( if we are even able ) which often means tending to our plants daily, watering, feeding and transplanting more often than not. Our homes do not look like this apartment did when the police arrived.

Next the government sends us to the street for our medicine, as their source is somewhat questionable in potency and strength. The Compassion Clubs around town hold their breath daily while they serve us wondering as to whether or not there will be a visit from their local or regional police.

Then, our home insurance is denied and or cancelled by most major insurance companies due to medical gardens being considered illegal "grow ops" by most confused citizens and lastly, we are the target of continuous home invasions. What kind of a life is this for a licensed medical patient?

Stories like this just add to people's confusion and hysteria involving the very few grow operations that do turn out poorly.

Legalize and regulate marijuana and all drugs so that our children and the street market no longer lead this issue and so that responsible adults have safe, affordable and consistent access.

Please -- our lives depend on it.

Alison Myrden