Pubdate: Wed, 19 Feb 2014
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Jim Bronskill

MEDICAL POT REGIME CREATES CRIME PROBLEMS, SAY RCMP

Mountie Document Before Federal Court Claims Current System Prone to Abuses

Mountie files affidavit in federal court saying they have uncovered 
abuses by medicinal pot growers There is an "overwhelming temptation" 
for growers of medical marijuana to supplement their income under the 
current system by selling extra pot, the RCMP says.

Police investigations have revealed various abuses of the federal 
medical marijuana program, including trafficking for personal gain, 
violent theft of homegrown pot and involvement of organized crime, 
RCMP Cpl. Shane Holmquist says in an affidavit filed in the Federal 
Court of Canada.

Health Canada plans a revamp of the medical marijuana system - in 
part due to concerns about criminal infiltration.

Under the existing program, to be phased out by April 1, people are 
issued licences to grow marijuana for their personal use to help ease 
the symptoms of painful conditions.

Several British Columbia residents with licences to grow their own 
pot are asking the Federal Court for an injunction that would allow 
them to continue doing so.

They argue the proposed new system, under which only licensed 
producers could grow marijuana for distribution to approved patients 
by mail, would deny them a safe supply tailored to their needs at an 
affordable price.

Under the current regime, just over 30,000 people have a licence from 
Health Canada to grow marijuana for themselves or for another person. 
More than half of them are in B.C.

In his court submission, requested by the federal government as part 
of its defence, Holmquist says he has seen numerous instances of 
licensees trafficking marijuana they grow - sometimes through 
cultivation of oversized "monster" plants.

In one case, a grower stated one room of marijuana was for medical 
purposes while another was a "mortgage helper," Holmquist says.

"In my experience investigating (medical marijuana) grow locations, I 
have found that there is an overwhelming temptation for . . . growers 
to sell marijuana to supplement their income."

Licences are also used to disguise commercial-scale grow operations, 
Holmquist says. He investigated a case last year that turned up a 
chicken barn linked to growing licences. "Twenty-five people, who 
were not authorized to grow marijuana, were tending to and packaging 
marijuana for the purpose of trafficking at this (medical marijuana) location."

A 2009 RCMP review found 40 cases of licence holders selling excess 
marijuana for profit.

Organized crime groups are known to target terminal cancer patients, 
offering large sums to help them enjoy the time they have left, 
Holmquist says. In return, the patient obtains a marijuana grow 
licence and makes the criminal their designated grower.

The skunk-like odour of marijuana can help thieves identify growing 
locations, break in and steal the pot - a crime known as a grow rip.

In B.C., there were four violent grow rips at locations with medical 
marijuana licences in 2009 and 11 the following year, Holmquist's 
affidavit says.

Between November 2003 and February last year there were 14 homicides 
related to grow rips in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.

Growing marijuana in a residence also poses risks from mould, fire 
and electrical hazards, the affidavit warns.

In a notice of motion seeking the injunction, John Conroy, a lawyer 
for patients who grow their own marijuana, says they have taken care 
to create safe, secure production sites.

"They have not had any fires, nor suffered from any toxic mould nor 
been subjected to any attempted thefts."
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