Pubdate: Thu, 20 Dec 2012
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Author: Michele Young

FAMILY, MINISTRY DISAGREE OVER INSPECTION COSTS

'We're still out $3,700 in expenses. So there is still no Christmas
for my family'

A mother threatened with having her children taken away because her
husband has medical marijuana plants believes the Ministry of Child
and Family Development has quietly offered her an olive branch by
paying the cost of air testing in her home.

Angela Ferguson said Wednesday she spoke with the company that did the
testing and was told she didn't have to pay the $1,000 bill because
the ministry had.

But the ministry disagrees with that claim.

The dispute began on Nov. 28. Ferguson, whose husband Brad Olson is
licensed to use medical marijuana to ease pain from degenerative
spinal discs, was threatened by social workers who came to the family
home with RCMP on a tip about an illegal grow-op.

RCMP were satisfied when they found out about Olson's licence, but the
social workers were not, she said. Olson juices the plants, he does
not smoke them.

They ordered the family out until the house could be inspected to
ensure it was safe. Olson is a contractor who has built his grow room
with separate ventilation and other safeguards.

But the family still had to move out for a week, her husband lost a
week's wages and the costs added up. They also had to have the
electrical system inspected and the air tested.

The air quality tests showed the house is clean, she
said.

Even if the ministry does pick up the $1,000 tab for the air test, the
family is still out an additional $3,700 for other costs incurred due
to the ministry's insistence.

The family has filed a Human Rights Tribunal complaint.

Ministry communications director Corinna Filion said in an emailed
statement that the ministry does not cover the costs of air quality
testing.

"That is the responsibility of the homeowners or landlord."

The statement continued:

"As previously stated, our priority is to ensure the safety of
children in the home. If social workers are concerned a child is at
risk due to safety hazards in a home, they would first require a
professional opinion on whether the home was safe before any further
action is taken.

"The professional would look to see if there are electrical hazards,
mould or any other safety concerns. Based on that opinion and their
professional judgment, social workers would then work with the parents
to ensure any hazards are rectified and there is no more risk of harm
to a child before deeming an environment safe.

"It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure their home is safe
and their children are not at risk of harm."

Ferguson said she hasn't heard from anyone with the ministry since
Dec. 7.

"They've disappeared," she said.

"We're still out $3,700 in expenses. So there is still no Christmas
for my family. I think it's a bit of an olive branch from the
ministry, but considering they've been non-communicative with us, it's
not that much of an olive branch."

She and her husband plan to start a business called Cannabis Patient
Services, helping licensed growers set up safe areas for their plants
as well as advocating.

"One of the things I hope comes from this is that card holders will be
humanized. That we're human, we have kids, we have jobs, that we're
not just trying to get high. And that you can grow safely in a home."

Ferguson said the family is still short on money to make Christmas
special for their three kids because of the costs, but they're trying
to get back on track.

"At this point, we're just trying to get back to our normal lives,"
she said. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D