Pubdate: Fri, 21 Dec 2012
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328

A FEW BAD SEEDS

The federal government is bent on pushing medical marijuana grow
operations out of residential homes.

Crime and safety - home invasions, faulty wiring and mould - are the
main reasons, and the plan has the backing of fire chiefs in B.C.

An apartment fire in Maple Ridge on Dec. 13, which left dozens of
people homeless, illustrates their concerns, as investigators found
three grow ops on the second floor, where the fire started, and which
they believe was electrical in origin.

But Health Canada has said that the proposed legislation, which would
regulate medical marijuana grow ops and push them to industrial or
agricultural areas, where they would be subject to inspections, will
drive up the purchase price.

Would that not fuel illegal grows and trade, similar to what occurs
now?

Wouldn't that nullify any changes to eliminate safety
risks?

Part of the plan is to let Health Canada medical possession and grow
licenses expire in 2014.

They will, in future, be more difficult to acquire, which is good, as
some seem to have fallen into hands that can't resist growing more
than their licenses permit, and selling to people other than those who
need it for medicinal purposes.

What if, under the new regulations, some who do need it for that
reason can't afford to buy from newly licensed growers?

Who benefits then?

The federal government's plan seems only to serve those who can afford
to establish commercial grow op businesses, and put those who subvert
the process into prison.

Why not regulate, license and disclose small grows in homes,
window-sill-type operations for personal, medicinal use?

Why not follow Washington and Colorado, and just legalize recreational
use?

Clearly there is much money to be made in marijuana, and in Canada,
we're wasting way too much money and time trying to curb what is
beyond the control of our authorities.

Taking away patients' personal production licences is akin to
punishing all because of a few bad seeds. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D