Pubdate: Mon, 08 Nov 2004
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Jim Beatty / The Vancouver Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

B.C. CONSIDERS HYDROPONICS CRACKDOWN

WHISTLER, B.C. - Solicitor General Rich Coleman says the B.C. government is 
considering regulating stores that sell hydroponic equipment as a way of 
cracking down on the marijuana trade.

Mr. Coleman said his officials are studying a proposed law that would force 
hydroponic equipment sellers to keep a registry of their buyers, which 
could then be forwarded to police.

"It might focus people's minds a bit more," Mr. Coleman said following a 
debate at the B.C. Liberal convention at this mountainside resort.

The proposed registry would be similar to the regulations facing Vancouver 
pawn shops, which now have electronic links to police tracking property 
crimes, he said.

But not everyone supported getting tough on drugs.

Victoria chartered accountant Alastair Murdoch said the party is moving in 
the wrong direction, especially when the the federal government is 
considering decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana.

"I don't know why we're going down this path when ... the federal 
government is moving the opposite direction. It has finally woken up to the 
fact that you can't win this war -- you cannot win the war on drugs," Mr. 
Murdoch told Liberal delegates.

Although B.C. Liberals strongly supported tough new marijuana laws, the 
party's views are not binding on government but may influence government policy.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager