Pubdate: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 Source: Tribune, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2013, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/letters Website: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2807 Author: Victoria Gray POT A GROWING BUSINESS WELLAND - Marijuana is his medicine. Without it, he finds it hard to function. The 38- year-old operations analyst from Welland, who who asked that his name not be used, has struggled with severe anxiety and depression since he was a teenager and pot is the only thing that provides relief. He has used several different medications to try to control his condition including Ativan, but found that left his head in a fog. "I have a job where I need to think and string together a conversation without being all stoned," he said. His doctor advised him to eat up to five grams of marijuana a day to help ease his anxiety and depression. "I find the marijuana doesn't fog the brain." he said. "It has the same calming qualities, but I can still function at work. If it wasn't for that I wouldn't have a job today. It has really allowed me to be a functioning member of society." But he may not be able to afford it for long. Currently, a grower licensed by Health Canada sells the man his medication for $ 1 a gram, but by April 2014 large scale legal commercial marijuana grow ops could set up shop in Niagara and charge $ 8 to $ 10 a gram. The Welland man doesn't think he'll be able to afford it and says he will have to try to getting it covered under his medical benefits or will buy it on the street when he can. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health announced new regulations for the distribution of medical marijuana in early June that will make pot farming a legitimate industry and wipe out home grow operations. The federal government introduced the medical marijuana program in 2001 and, at the time, there were less than 500 people across Canada growing pot in their homes for medical use. Now there are more than 30,000 people authorized to grow weed according to Health Canada. A press release from the agency said the increase had "unintended consequences for public health, safety and security as a result of allowing individuals to produce marijuana in their homes." Under the new regulations, production will no longer take place in homes, but in commercial facilities to beef up public safety. Rob Nicholson, Niagara Falls MP, formerly the minister of justice attorney general of Canada, said in an e-mail that medical marijuana distribution needs to be more controlled to ensure public safety. "Our approach balances patient access with public safety. Unfortunately, the system was being abused, and that was having a real impact on public safety. Our government will continue to protect the health and safety of Canadians," he said. Licensed producers will have to comply with regulations for quality control standards, maintain comprehensive records, inventories of marijuana, and security system to protect against selling it illegally. They must send marijuana to registered clients through a secure courier, meaning storefronts or retail outlets are not allowed. Grow ops must employ a quality assurance worker with "training, experience and technical knowledge." Plants must be indoors and the site must have restricted- access areas, including all areas where a licensed activity is conducted with marijuana. They must have around-the-clock video surveillance and employees must have valid security clearance, issued by the Ministry of Health. Both in home and commercial sites will operate until March 31, 2014. After that, Health Canada will no longer produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes. Port Colborne Ward 4 coun. Barb Butters said she's had a few constituents complain about neighbours who may be applying to grow medical marijuana, but said there's not much the city can do about it if the federal government issue the license. "We've asked staff for a report, so we can have the information about the regulations and what we should and shouldn't be doing and how this is going to affect the municipality. We don't have it yet. We expect it back shortly," she said. She said dealing with pot farms is new territory for municipalities. "It's legal," she said. "Th e zoning is appropriate and ( they are) not breaking any rules in doing this." But Niagara Regional Police and local fire departments don't know how they will deal with the legal grow operations. NRP Det. Dave Maniaci in the guns gangs and grows unit said specific regulations were sent to his office late July, but they haven't had time to go through it in-depth. He said people are already applying to own the commercial businesses. "It's my understanding as part of the application process for these commercial locations they have to make notifications to police, municipality and fire," he said. "A handful of people we are aware of to date have made the application." He said legal grow operations were spread throughout the region, and despite the fact that he's happy pot won't continue to be grown in people's home, he's anxious to find out more about the protocols for inspections. Port Colborne fire prevention officer Mike Bendia said he's heard rumors that Port Colborne residents may have applied, but couldn't confirm who. He also said fire departments may not have anything to do with the commercialized operations, because if the government deems them agricultural operations it's no longer their realm. "The fire code exempts farm properties because of the nature of what they do," he said. "A farm building with not more than one person during normal use and other areas are exempt from the requirements." Niagara Falls fire Chief Lee Smith said he's confident the properties will be zones commercial because despite the agricultural nature of the business - it's exactly that - a business. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom