Pubdate: Fri, 30 Nov 2012
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Phil Melnychuk

MOVING ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA ZONES

Council has told staff to find a way to put medical-marijuana grow 
operations into agricultural areas of Maple Ridge.

"They're going to draft a bylaw where it can only be grown in an 
agricultural zone and get it out of the houses," said Mayor Ernie Daykin.

"You can write a bylaw, and then the $64,000 question is - what 
happens if it's challenged. Will it stand up?"

Politicians made the decision at their Tuesday meeting after a report 
on the topic. According to the report, Health Canada is developing 
new standards for medical marijuana operations in two years. Those 
standards will toughen requirements for product quality, safety, 
record keeping, and could result in the phasing out of smaller, 
individual growers.

Medical marijuana growers could face the same restrictions as 
mushroom barns or pig styes, which means the buildings would have to 
be 60 metres away from the front lot line and 30 metres from rear lot lines.

Council also looked at a resolution introduced by Coun. Michael 
Morden, asking the federal government to disclose locations of 
medical marijuana operations to police in an attempt to reduce 
needless raids on what are assumed to be illegal operations.

But Daykin doubts if the feds will cooperate. "I'm not holding my 
breath on that. The trump card, it's always been a privacy thing."

 From a business point of view, a medical marijuana grow operation is 
an uncertain proposition, according to greenhouse grower Steve Pelton.

He is with SKP Plant Factory Inc., producers of Kitchen Pick culinary 
herbs, and said it's possible that illegal grow operators, who 
already have the expertise and equipment, could simply switch to 
become legitimate marijuana producers.

And individual growers, who could easily exceed their quota, could 
also undermine licensed growers.

"I don't know how they can police the individual growers."

The report points out that people with medical-grow certificates do 
not have to account for their yield.

"I seriously doubt if there's any money in it," Pelton said.

As of a year ago, 3,600 people in B.C. were authorized to have 
medical marijuana, while about 1,200 were licensed to grow medical 
marijuana, many of whom do so in their homes.

Growing marijuana in homes can cause problems for both residents and 
neighbours because of the amateur nature of electrical works needed 
to keep the grow lights on. While bad wiring can cause fires, another 
possible explosive effect could result from using propane-powered 
carbon dioxide generators indoors. Carbon dioxide is used for 
speeding plant growth and the propane burners also generate carbon monoxide.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom