They only people afraid of cops are those doing illegal activities. Those who classify ALL cops as pigs or doughnut eaters have not had to call them for help EVER. Things change when the cops are the ones busting into your house to save your life. (This happened to me when I was 7) They seem to be pigs when they are doing there job against YOU, and seem to be hero's and saint's when they are catching someone else. I mean come on, you expect EVERY cop in this nation to fight harder drugs? To find rapists and murderers? Only so many cops can do that on a daily basis, or none would be available when YOU need them. I'm sorry, but I don't hate cops, I know that the "system" that they are in may be corrupt, and that sometimes, being a human gets the best of them and they do wrong, nobody's perfect. I know that when I get caught by the cops, its not THEIR fault for catching me, its mine. I should have done something more to avoid getting caught. LOL I think that's the problem, nobody wants to man up for their actions. So you THINK pot should be legal? Maybe I should THINK murder should be legal then go out a do it. Then cry and whine while im being dragged to prison because my beliefs did not directly reflect the law. Don't be mad at the cops for catching you, be mad at the government that makes them have to follow the law. I had a cop bust me for a grow once, I told him, how can we get this to slide, its only 4 plants, and you and I both know I don't grow to sell. HE TOLD ME SORRY, I AGREE WITH YOU, BUT THE LAW IS THE LAW AND I HAVE TO UPHOLD IT, THAT IS MY JOB. So basically, people want to be exempt from the law because that is what the believe the law should be. nonsense I tell you. without cops or some sort of group to uphold the basics of law, we would all be eating each other alive, 21st century style.
I got off on a rant, everything above is an opinion and obviously can be debated. In my personal experience, it's best to show some respect to the cops, and know the law that concerns you (growing marijuana laws in your state) BUT, don't let them walk on you either, there job exists because you exist, if everyone was perfect, they wouldn't have a job, so demand a bit of respect from them as well. I blatantly told a cop to speak to me with some respect, once I get charged with something, you can treat me like a criminal. It was nothing but smooth sailed from there. Just depends on the cops. I think "street smarts" is useful in this situation.