Pubdate: Tue, 04 Dec 2001
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Terry Pender
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

WAR ON POT DIVIDES CITY COUNCILLORS

Motion Calling For Stiffer Penalties For 'Home-Growers' Endorsed, But 
Not Without Heated Council Debate

WATERLOO -- A divided Waterloo city council is joining a local 
skirmish in the war on drugs.

Waterloo councillors last night endorsed a Kitchener motion calling 
for a minimum of five years in jail for anyone caught growing 
marijuana in a residence.

But two city councillors voted against the motion, questioning the 
size of the problem locally, and whether the continued 
criminalization of marijuana is justified.

During the past 17 months, Waterloo regional police have busted about 
60 "grow operations" which by-passed normal hydro connections to get 
around hydro meters and supply electricity to the powerful lamps used 
to grow the plants.

Several children have been found living with parents in some of the 
grow sites, and two residential fires in the past year are blamed on 
"home grows."

So far, local courts have handed out conditional sentences to be 
served in homes and communities, and frustrated police are waging a 
public relations battle through local politicians to get stiffer 
sentences.

"I talked to a police officer about this recently, and it's a huge 
problem," said Coun. Scott Jones, who pushed the issue at council. 
"He said that within three blocks of any place in the region you will 
find one of these grow operations.

"And just after he told me that, one was found about two blocks from my house."

Local police also believe legislation should be streamlined to give 
them a larger share of the proceeds of crime.

This streamlining should "include provisions to ensure that a greater 
percentage of the dollars obtained at the municipal level stay with 
local police services in order to augment their resources in this 
area," says the motion, and "we strongly urge the federal government 
to not pursue the decriminalization of marijuana."

But Coun. Morty Taylor opposed the motion, saying conflicting 
messages are being given to the public because there is a talk of 
de-criminalization of marijuana among some federal politicians while 
some municipal councillors call for tougher penalties for growing it.

"I don't know that there is exponential growth of this activity in 
the city of Waterloo, and until I know the situation I won't support 
this," said Taylor.

And Coun. Brent Needham, the only other opposing vote, said during an 
interview afterwards that he has to question whether the continued 
criminalization of marijuana is justified.
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