Pubdate: Fri, 06 Aug 2004 Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Chilliwack Progress Contact: http://www.theprogress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562 Author: Robert Freeman Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) ANTI-POT BYLAW STEP CLOSER Chilliwack's marijuana bylaw - officially called the Nuisance, Noxious, or Offensive Trades Health and Safety bylaw - is expected to finally be adopted at the next city council meeting Aug. 16. "We're ready to roll," says Councillor Sharon Gaetz, head of the city's public safety committee, which has been nurturing the marijuana bylaw to its final form with the help of city lawyers. Coun. Gaetz and Mayor Clint Hames have been inundated this week with interview requests around the bylaw from national and provincial media, and they hope the coverage drives home the message to marijuana growers that Chilliwack is no longer fertile ground. The bylaw, called the toughest in the province with a maximum $10,000 fine, has been in the works since February but was first promised by city officials back in June, 2002, after a study by the University College of the Fraser Valley showed Chilliwack had the second-highest rate of marijuana grow operations per capita in the province. Police had discovered 177 grow operations in Chilliwack in 2000, according to the study, compared to 199 in Nanaimo. Last year, the police executed 60 search warrants at suspected grow-ops in Chilliwack, seizing 32,000 marijuana plants and arresting more than 100 people. Ms. Gaetz says the number of grow-ops busted so far this year has dropped to 38, suggesting the city's get-tough policy on marijuana growers is working. The Chilliwack bylaw requires landlords to inspect rental properties every three months, report suspected grow-ops to authorities and clean up the premises after a grow-op is discovered. But the city isn't going after landlords, insists Coun. Gaetz, "we're trying to help them protect their investment." If landlords take care of their rental properties and advise tenants of the three-month inspections - which should scare off marijuana growers - they have nothing to fear. But landlords who don't show due diligence could face thousands of dollars in cleanup costs and inspection fees, if a grow-operation is discovered. Under the bylaw, if the premises have been used for a grow operation, the owner must, within 30 days after the grow operation has been removed: - - remove all carpets and curtains or have them cleaned by a professional; - - have all forced air heating ducts cleaned by a professional; - - have all walls and ceilings cleaned and disinfected by a professional. After the cleanup, a certified professional must also confirm the premises are free of pesticides, fertilizers, toxic chemicals, moulds and fungus. New tenants must also be notified in writing by the landlord in that a grow operation has been removed from the premises. Also, if the premises have been altered for a grow operation, the unit cannot be re-occupied until a city building permit is obtained for any remedial work required, and the premises are brought up to current building, electrical and health standards. The city may also discontinue water service to the premises, after seven days written notice to the owner. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager