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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom