Pubdate: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Kamloops This Week Contact: http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271 Author: Jeremy Deutsch Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) PUSHING FOR SAFER POT GROW-OPS Illegal marijuana grow-ops have long been a safety concern for firefighters, but now the group representing B.C.'s fire chiefs is setting its sights on legal pot operations. The Fire Chiefs Association of BC, (FCABC) is calling for tighter building-code regulations on medical marijuana-grow operations. It's a call supported by the city's top firefighter. "All we're saying is, if these people are going to grow medical marijuana for themselves, they should take out the proper permits and have their place inspected so that we know there aren't going to be any problems," KFD chief Neill Moroz told KTW. He said the association isn't trying to stop medical grow-ops; rather, it wants to make them safer for firefighters. Moroz noted the FCABC's research indicates legal grow-ops pose just as much risk to firefighters as legal operations. The association said growing marijuana - legal or not - tends to result in health, fire and safety hazards related to electrical-system modifications, structural changes and excessive moisture. Moroz said the KFD has come across a few small medical grow-ops in town, but he's more concerned about larger operations. In September, members of the Union of BC Municipalities voted against a resolution to regulate medical-grow operations. Mayor Peter Milobar didn't take part in the vote, but said he understands the chief's concerns. He said there should be some building standards for legal grow-ops, especially regarding electrical and ventilation issues, which could create a fire hazard or damage air quality. "If you have the legal authority to grow [marijuana], you should have to adhere to a certain standard of building codes," he said. But Milobar noted the building code and any changes fall under provincial jurisdiction. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D