Pubdate: Thu, 23 May 2013
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Langley Times
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Dan Ferguson

NEW MEDICINAL MARIJUANA LAWS A POSITIVE PRESCRIPTION, FORUM TOLD

A new federal law that will ban medicinal marijuana growing in 
residential neighbourhoods is likely good news for most Langley 
Township residents, and public safety officials.

But there are some troubling unknowns about the impact of the new 
laws, including the likelihood of a court challenge and concerns the 
formerly legal residential grow-ops could keep going.

That was the view of participants in a Township-sponsored public 
information session on the planned changes by the federal government, 
held Wednesday evening (May 15) at the George Preston recreation 
centre in Brookswood.

"My big concern is that we suddenly have 26,000-plus illegal grow 
operations out there," said the head of the Langley RCMP detachment, 
Supt. Derek Cooke.

Other members of the panel sounded the same mix of optimism and 
caution about the new laws.

Township Mayor Jack Froese said because the regulation of medicinal 
marijuana growing is under federal authority, there is little local 
authorities can do to restrict the current activity.

"I'm the mayor, but I'm not the king," Froese said.

"Our hands are tied."

Langley RCMP Sgt. Jason Wilde said court decisions that upheld the 
right to access medical marijuana ultimately led to an explosion in 
the numbers of licensed grows-ops from a few hundred to many thousands.

"It kind of became a slippery slope," Wilde said.

Langley MP Mark Warawa said the new law, which will take effect in 
April, 2014, will replace the thousands of small grow-ops currently 
operating in neighbourhoods across Canada with roughly 60 large 
licensed growing facilities that will be restricted to commercial and 
industrial areas.

"We know the problem has grown to the point of making it unlivable," 
Warawa said.

Township fire chief Stephen Gamble and Township bylaws manager Bill 
Storie also took part in the two-hour meeting.

Health Canada, the federal government agency that regulates medical 
marijuana growing, was invited to send a representative, but refused.

Some residents who spoke expressed frustration with the current state 
of affairs, as well as hope the new regulations will improve the 
situation and fear that legal challenges could disrupt their implementation.

One man said he personally knew of supposedly legal medicinal 
marijuana grow-ops that were being operated in Langley by people with 
ties to organized crime.

Many have complained criminals are targeting legal grow-ops to steal 
product, creating a safety hazard for people who live nearby.

By 2014, all of the residential marijuana growing licenses will have 
expired and the new federal government regulations will restrict 
legal grow-ops to commercial areas.

Under the new rules, medical marijuana will be dispersed through 
pharmacies or by mail. Consumers will be limited to purchasing 150 
grams at a time - which works out to five grams per day for 30 days.

Some municipalities - including Maple Ridge, Surrey, Coquitlam and 
Vancouver - are reported to be considering restrictive zoning bylaws 
to amplify the impact of the federal law, while Langley City is 
proposing a complete prohibition on the production of medical 
marijuana within its boundaries.
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