Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2014
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Phil Melnychuk

MAPLE RIDGE GEARING UP FOR GROW OP CLEAN UP

Maple Ridge is taking steps to ensure it can clean up illegal medical
grow ops by writing a new bylaw and hiring two more staff.

The extra enforcement will cost taxpayers another $130,000 yearly, if
council approves the Safe Premises Bylaw.

The extra money will be required to pay for a bylaw officer ($70,000
yearly,) $49,000 for a bylaw clerk and $10,000 for a vehicle.

The bylaw, introduced for discussion at a council meeting last week,
would replace a bylaw from a decade ago, by clarifying definitions and
increasing fees to ensure as many costs are recovered as possible.

For example, a homeowner could pay a $500 flat fee just for having
bylaws show up to his or her house.

With enforcement against personal medical grow operations on hold
until a court challenge is completed, Maple Ridge can't yet act to
clean up such operations.

But if the challenge is defeated and federal law is upheld, that makes
illegal small personal medical marijuana production in favour of
large-scale operations, the Safe Premises Bylaw could be used to
remove the remaining personal medical marijuana grow operations.

The approach would be a gradual one, said bylaws director Liz
Holitzki.

Health Canada would provide addresses of personal medical marijuana
grow operations that haven't shut down under the new law.

Bylaws then would contact those homeowners or visit the
homes.

Depending on the level of response, required fees could climb beyond
that.

For example, homeowners could be billed $78 an hour to have a deputy
fire chief on scene.

To have a fire truck roll up would cost $300 an hour, while a bylaw
director on site could cost $80 an hour.

Council received the proposal for initial discussion. Formal
introduction of the bylaw could come next month.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D