Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Darrell Bellaart Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/grow+operations CITY WELCOMES NEW TOOL IN GROW-OP BATTLE City bylaw enforcement officers hope easy access to residential B.C. Hydro bills will make marijuana grow operations easier to find. But civil liberties proponents see it as an infringement on privacy. Solicitor General John Les recently tabled a law that if passed would allow municipalities to look at a property's power consumption. The move would bolster public safety by reducing explosions and fires from grow-ops. The city is still waiting to learn more about the legislation, but so far it looks positive to Randy Churchill, Nanaimo bylaw services manager. "I think any time you have an additional tool to remove grow ops from our community it's a good thing," Churchill said. Grow-ops are a big headache for the bylaw department, with between 50 and 70 uncovered annually in Nanaimo. Besides bankrolling organized crime in the millions annually, grow-ops are prone to fires, electrical hazards and health concerns from mould. Which is why Leonard Krog, the NDP Nanaimo MLA, is backing the Liberal initiative. "It is about public safety - that is the thrust of the legislation," Krog said. "There are some concerns around privacy and civil liberties, and obviously as I have a chance to look at the bill more closely we'll canvass the minister on it." Murray Mollard, B.C. Civil Liberties Union executive director, says it tramples privacy rights. "A lot of people might have legitimate reasons for high consumption patterns," Mollard said. "They might have a sauna or a hot tub, or they might have a hothouse for growing plants or vegetables." Mollard said by some estimates police currently fail to find grow-ops in 10 per cent of the homes they investigate and that will get worse with full access to energy bills. He questions the safety enhancement aspect of the legislation, saying more explosions could result from pot growers switching to other, more dangerous energy sources, such as propane. "This is just going to drive up the profit margin," Mollard said. "Canadians are a little bit tired of this criminal law of drugs (former attorney general) Rich Coleman is so fond of. It's a losing war. Canadians are recognize marijuana isn't as harmful as many legal drugs." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin