Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc Contact: http://www.mrtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372 Author: Maria Rantanen COUNCIL TARGETS POT GROWERS A Maple Ride Councillor Is Concerned About Implications on Neighbourhood Safety Legal counsel is being sought as Maple Ridge council looks to get rid of marijuana grow-operations from residential neighbourhoods. At Tuesday evening's council meeting, the issue, that had previously been discussed in a closed council meeting, was brought to light. Staff were given direction to work "with legal counsel to draft the appropriate bylaw amendments with respect to growing medicinal marijuana in the District." Councillor Michael Morden initiated the issue and he said he feels grow-ops in residential areas have "several impacts" on Maple Ridge citizens, including the release of noxious smells and the use of chemical fertilizers that cause health problems. The issue has been on his radar for some time, Morden explained, and is one of the things he'd like to see done during this term on council. Other issues that Morden is concerned about in regards to medical grow-ops is that is wastes taxpayer dollars and other resources investigating suspected grow-operations "only to find out that a home occupant possesses a licence to grow under Health Canada regulations." Morden said he has talked with people in neighbourhoods that have marijuana grow operations and they feel are unsafe. "We need to get these out of our neighbourhoods so they can be safe again for our families," the second-term councillor said. Morden would like a municipal bylaw that bans medicinal grow-operations from residential neighbourhoods, and he suggested they could be in agricultural or industrial areas. "As long as it's not where people live," he said People who have demonstrated a need for medical marijuana - for health reasons - are allowed to possess and get a legal supply of it. Health Canada has issued permits to people to grow medicinal marijuana or to designate someone else to grow marijuana for them. But the federal government has proposed changes to how medical marijuana is grown and distributed. It is expected that licensing will be issued only to government-licensed commercial producers, whereas personal growing licences will be eliminated, Morden pointed out. The Health Canada website states that "personal use and designated-person production licences would be phased out and individuals would no longer be able to grow marijuana for medical purposes in their homes and communities." Morden is concerned about the criminal activity that seems to spring up around medical marijuana grow-operations, something that is reflected in Health Canada's comments about the upcoming changes. For example, in May 2011, RCMP raided a property in east Maple Ridge where they claim they found medical marijuana that exceeded the allowed amount by almost seven times. They seized 1,490 pot plants, a helicopter, two pickup trucks, and three mobile grow labs that were not in use yet. According to Health Canada, key concerns around medical marijuana include the "risk of abuse and exploitation by criminal elements." Other issues that Health Canada cites with the current system include the length of the application process and the need for doctors to have more information about "the risks and benefits associated with the use of marijuana for medical purposes." Public health and safety risks, including electrical and fire hazards. Mould and poor air quality are other Health Canada concerns. "It's time for us to take back our neighbourhoods," Morden said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom