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. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh