Pubdate: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc Contact: http://www.mrtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) RIDGE PLANS NEW SLATE OF FINES Getting caught growing pot, owning a dangerous dog or building a pool without a permit will soon be more expensive in Maple Ridge. The district council has approved the first three readings of a new bylaw adding new ticketing offenses and increasing the fines for several old ones. The bylaw is expected to pass final reading and come into force in mid-September. The changes are the result of a recent switch in provincial government policy. Until this year, every time a municipality wanted to create a ticketing bylaw, they had to have the bylaw approved by the chief judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia, even for fines as little as $5. "We didn't always get the blessing of the chief judge," said Brock McDonald, the district's director of business licenses, permits and bylaws. The new legislation allows municipalities to create ticket bylaws, and to fine residents up to $1,000, without provincial approval. The new fines include an entire category for the recently created anti-grow operation bylaw. The bylaw was created to target the owners of properties, whether rental or otherwise, used for growing marijuana. The fines target specific problems with grow operations, including a $1,000 fine for obstructing an exit or removing fire stopping structures. Other fines include $500 for diverting or installing exhaust vents unlawfully and $500 for causing or allowing the growth of mold, fungus or a controlled substance. There are also more than a dozen fineable offenses that are to be ticketed at $200 or $250, all linked to the way grow operations are frequently managed. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin