Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Chilliwack Times Contact: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357 Author: Mike Chouinard Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) COUNCIL SEEKS PUBLIC APPROVAL OF NEW DRUG BYLAW The city expects to be at the forefront when it comes to using its bylaws to fight the drug trade. Next month they will be holding a public information meeting concerning a new bylaw aimed at regulating businesses that sell hydroponic and other equipment that can be used by drug producers. They will be holding the meeting during the evening of Feb. 6 to hear input from the public about the new regulations. The bylaw, if adopted, would cover all tools, apparatus or devices such as lights, trays and pumps associated with hydroponic grow-ops. "The city doesn't have the authority to outright ban these items," city clerk Rob Carnegie told council. The bylaw would require business selling these products to obtain a $1,000-per-year licence in addition to a regular business licence, and a maintain a register of the sale of the items, which can be made available to police. A business that does not comply could have its licence revoked. "There's not even an attempt by some of these businesses to disguise what they're doing," Mayor Clint Hames responded. Carnegie then told the mayor and council the new bylaw will work similarly to the city's recent pawn shop licensing regulations, though will focus on materials used to produce drugs rather than stop the flow of stolen goods. "It's intended to reduce the sale of hydroponic equipment," he said. Carnegie also outlined the legal recourse available to the city for those guilty of infractions. They have the new bylaw adjudication system or small fines. They could also pursue larger penalties in the court system, though this approach is not likely to be the first step. "It's very lengthy. It's very costly," Carnegie added. While the hearing is set for Feb. 6, council is also getting input about the new bylaw from business organizations such as the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association, the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce and the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation. During Monday's meeting, Coun. Pat Clark asked as well for information from other municipalities about what actions they were taking. However, Mayor Clint Hames responded that the city was really setting a precedent with this bylaw. "We're leading the way on this one. There aren't many communities that are taking this step." Hames added that he hoped operations selling items used as drug paraphernalia would realize their actions were affecting their own business costs because the drug trade was forcing the city to come up with more tax money to pay for police costs. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom