Top Mountie embarrassed for pot-smoker

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson says he’s very embarrassed for a New Brunswick Mountie who rankled the national police force by smoking medicinal marijuana in uniform. Paulson told a House of Commons committee Tuesday it was “awkward and disappointing” to see Cpl. Ron Francis make headlines after the force discouraged him from going public. “I feel very embarrassed for the member and hopefully we can help him along,” Paulson said. Francis attracted widespread attention when the CBC aired a video clip of him puffing away at a joint in full ceremonial dress and insisting he has a right to smoke marijuana in uniform. The veteran Mountie tearfully returned his red serge last week. He accuses the government and the RCMP of not doing enough to support members like himself who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.