Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jul 2013
Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Chilliwack Times
Contact:  http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357
Author: Paul J. Henderson

STAM SAYS NEW WEED RULES FAIR

Federal changes to the medical marijuana program should address the
City of Chilliwack's concern with the program that currently sees
grow-ops in homes and in commercial areas.

Many municipalities have long hoped changes coming April 1, 2014
would, among other things, take marijuana growing out of residential
areas.

On June 10, the federal government announced the new Marihuana for
Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) and from what he has seen, Coun.
Chuck Stam said he is pleased.

"It will address most of our concerns," Stam told city council last
week.

Stam is the chair of the city's Public Safety Advisory Committee,
which will discuss the new regulations at its July 10 meeting.

Chilliwack has a huge number of licensed marijuana users and growers,
something that is a concern to local RCMP, fire officials and city
hall.

"The problem is that we haven't had consultation about where grows
shall go," Mayor Sharon Gaetz said earlier this year.

In February of this year, the Times learned there were 513 personal
use production licences (PUPL) and 77 designated person production
licences (DPPL) in Chilliwack.

That is more than triple the number of legal marijuana growers in
Chilliwack from a year prior, which in itself was more than three
times the average across British Columbia.

Federal health minister Leona Aglukkaq wrote in an op-ed piece that
the changes are intended, in part, to address the issue of growing
marijuana in private residences.

"The ability for individuals to produce marijuana in private homes has
added to public health, safety and security risks as criminal elements
have abused the system," she said.

"The government's goal is to treat dried marijuana as much as possible
like other narcotics used for medical purposes under the MMPR by
creating conditions for a new, commercial industry that will be
responsible for its production and distribution."

In addition to the concerns around growing are issues around
distribution.

The commercial neighbours of a recently expanded DPPL in Chilliwack
told the Times earlier this year that they once saw a man with an SUV
pull up and dump a garbage bag full of marijuana into the vehicle.

The changes coming in less than nine months also mean dried marijuana
will have to be shipped through a secure delivery service directly to
the clients.

"Taken together, these measures will reduce the risks of diversion of
marijuana to illicit markets," Aglukkaq said.

"The government understands the need to continue to provide reasonable
access to a legal source of marihuana for medical purposes and the new
regime does so in a manner that is consistent with the way access is
provided for other narcotics used for medical purposes."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt