Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Raquel Exner CAPITAL HEALTH DECLARES POT PARTY'S HOUSE UNFIT The Marijuana party's office has been condemned and declared unfit for habitation after a sleeping area in the building was found to be unsafe. Capital Health received a complaint about the 10253 97 St. office and store last Thursday and declared it unsafe the next day because the commercial space is connected to residential accommodations without a fire-separation wall. As well, there were no windows that could be opened or a smoke alarm in the sleeping area. Environmental health officer Glenn Jenkins said the sleeping area has to be separate from the business - that could be done by adding a living area to the back and installing a separate door, so anyone living inside could escape in the case of a blaze. Of course, the add-on suite would have to meet fire, building and zoning codes as well as minimum housing and health standards, said Jenkins. He added if no one was living in the office, he wouldn't have a problem with it reopening. The property is co-owned by Ken Kirk, the former leader of the Marijuana Party of Alberta. Kirk and the other owner have to leave the building before or on Aug. 5. At the end of June, Kirk was ousted from the party by three members of the executive council. Party president Reginald Normore said while the office is closed, members can stay in touch via the Internet until a new office is found. He insists he didn't know about the problems. "I didn't realize the sleeping area was there. As an office, it was a good place. It's unfortunate. Sometimes these things happen." - --- MAP posted-by: Ariel