Pubdate: Tue, 02 Nov 2010 Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Chilliwack Times Contact: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357 WEEDING OUT THE BAD GUYS Chilliwack continues to have a marijuana problem. That much is pretty clear, if you've followed our Homegrown series over the last four editions of the Chilliwack Times. In many neighbourhoods where farmland has been paved over to make way for homes, houses are now being used for agriculture--specifically, to grow marijuana. Even Cheech and Chong aficionados should see a problem with this. Residential pot farmers damage houses, pose a significant fire hazard, and siphon more than a $100 million of electricity from BC Hydro, a company owned by B.C. taxpayers. At the same time, they produce a good that funnels tax-free money into the pockets of gangsters, or that is sent to the United States in exchange for weapons and hard drugs. These facts are beyond dispute. But so is the fact that the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the government or police has been unable to curb marijuana use or production. Indeed, pot is just as common as ever. The stigma associated with its use has all but disappeared. But local, provincial and federal governments continue to forego billions of dollars in tax revenues in order to fight a battle they will never win. With numerous states considering referendums that could legalize pot, it's time to consider moving marijuana operations out of homes and into greenhouses. That prohibition has failed is clear. It's becoming increasing clear that pot needs to be very strictly regulated, rather than being policed, and that those who make money from it must start contributing to society. The current situation is good only for gangsters, whose profit springs from a street-honed ability to intimidate and bully rather than from managerial or agricultural brilliance. By forcing pot producers to comply with health and safety codes, pay taxes and contribute to health and pension plans, perhaps pot could become another agriculture feather in Chilliwack's cap, rather than a blight on its neighbourhoods. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt