Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 Source: Northumberland News (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing, Ltd. Contact: http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/nn/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2373 Author: Vince Versace WEED OUT MARIJUANA OPERATIONS: CLEMENT COBOURG - Cobourg's police chief wants local business and political leaders to come together with police to put a stop to illegal marijuana grow operations. "I will be seeking a commitment from our elected officials and business leaders to help us educate people and develop ways in which we can stop the spread of marijuana grows in our community," states Chief Garry Clement. On Wednesday, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police released a study called 'Green Tide: Indoor Marihuana Cultivation and It's Impact on Ontario.' The study analyzes marijuana grow operations and their impacts from 2000 to 2002 across the province. During the two-year span of the study, indoor marijuana grow operations increased by 250 per cent, with over 15,000 grow operations operating in 2002 and 1.2 million plants seized. Revenue from the grow operations is estimated be as high as $12.7 billion. "Grow operations are a threat to all neighbourhoods," says Chief Clement. "We have to step outside of the box and make sure we go after them with a vengeance. We are dealing with ruthless, well-financed, organized crime." The study notes in 2002, grow operations resulted in up to $85 million in stolen electricity and that grow operation homes are 40 times more likely to have a fire than a regular household. "The best thing we can do right now is raise public awareness around the issue. We have to educate people as much as we can," believes Chief Clement. An example of a community partnership created to raise public awareness about home grow operations happened this past October when the pamphlet 'Marijuana Home Grow Operations- What You Need to Know' was published. Cobourg, Port Hope, Peterborough Lakefield and Ontario Provincial Police forces teamed up with Lakefront Utilities, Veridian Corporation and Peterborough Utilities to publish 60,000 copies of the pamphlet which highlighted 10 possible indicators for residents to consider if they see suspected marijuana home grow operations. Northumberland and Peterborough police services dismantled over 15 home grow operations last year, seizing $8 million worth of marijuana. "Commercial marijuana grow operations are located in urban and rural communities, including residential areas," states Chief Clement. "We need everyone's help in stopping this menace to our community." The report also states that as many as 10,000 children and their families may have been raised in home grow operations between 2000 and 2003. These children and families are exposed to health safety risks due to the chemicals used in the grow operations and the physical violence associated with such operations notes Chief Clement. "We have to do anything we can within our bylaws, if we can, to address this issue," adds Chief Clement. Chief Clement would also like to see local politicians apply more pressure to their provincial and federal counterparts to help create stronger laws surrounding convictions and sentences associated with home grow operations. Condemning houses after they have been discovered to be home grow operations would be a start, says the chief. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman