Pubdate: Thu, 24 Mar 2005
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Christina Toth - Times
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POLICE WANT STORE OWNERS TO REVEAL POT INFORMATION

The City of Abbotsford wants businesses who sell hydroponics supplies and 
used goods - especially guns or equipment used in marijuana growing 
operations - to pass their customer information on to local police.

That was one of three resolutions city council approved on Monday to send 
to the next annual gathering of the Lower Mainland Municipal Association, 
held May 11-13.

The council debated four resolutions, but combined two of them related to 
grow-op equipment.

That resolution calls for an amendment to the Community Charter and a 
request to the provincial government to require "all businesses retailing 
or wholesaling equipment and supplies that are associated with marijuana 
grow operations . . . to keep track of their customers and notify the chief 
constable that has jurisdiction in the local government."

The resolution also makes the same request in relation to several classes 
of "businesses that sell firearms, nutrients, hydroponics equipment and 
other materials commonly used in grow operations."

Currently the province's Community Charter already enables local 
governments to require people selling or buying used or secondhand goods to 
submit records of all transactions to local police.

The resolution targeting sales to suspect marijuana growers would emulate 
that section, said the city's public relations officer, Jay Teichroeb.

He said the changes could affect those who sell hydroponics equipment 
exclusively and also larger hardware, gardening suppliers or home 
improvement chains, such as Rona Revy or Home Depot.

"If they're engaged in the sale of hydroponics, then yes they would be 
included in the category," he said Tuesday.

Another resolution will ask the province to enact legislation to 
"discourage the construction of industrial-type agricultural productions 
facilities on Class 1 and Class 2 soils."

The resolution originally contained the phrase "such as greenhouses," but 
council members chose to leave it out so that the greenhouse sector wasn't 
being targeted, said Teichroeb.

The third resolution asks for provincial fireworks regulations on 
fireworks, including education, transportation enforcement and cost 
recovery. Councillors are expected to give final approval for the 
resolutions at an April 4 meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom