Pubdate: Mon, 04 Dec 2017 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2017 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Jonathan Denis Page: A14 MARIJUANA GROW-OPS DESTROY HOMES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS Re: Alberta betting on marijuana boom, Opinion, Nov. 28 I read with interest Gillian Steward's column about the cannabis industry in Alberta. I write to clarify some of her comments. Residential marijuana grow-ops have destroyed houses and injured neighbourhoods. When I had the privilege of serving in office, we sought to address this issue with a task force that focused on what could be done from a provincial level. One of the frequent comments we heard was that the decriminalization of cannabis, a federal issue, would decrease the incentives for such activities. The Canadian Cannabis Chamber continues to be concerned about the issue of residential grow-ops. The chamber looks forward to working with governments and the legal cannabis industry to establish a framework that provides a safe, regulated system for cannabis cultivation that avoids the negative consequences these operations have had on local communities. Jonathan Denis, former minister of justice and solicitor general of Alberta; adviser to the Canadian Cannabis Chamber - --- MAP posted-by: Matt