Pubdate: Wed, 25 Aug 2004
Source: Tri-City News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004, Tri-City News
Contact:  http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Janis Cleugh
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

BELCARRA TAKES STEPS TO WARD OFF POT GROW-OPS

Belcarra is trying to weed out cannabis cultivators in the village with a 
new anti-pot farming bylaw.

If the bylaw is approved, the village will be the fourth Tri-City 
municipality to enact regulations to stop marijuana grow-ops.

Though police have only dismantled three pot farms in Belcarra over the 
past decade, Mayor Ralph Drew said council is trying to stay ahead of the 
game and safeguard residents.

"The bylaw just broadens the tools that we have to deal with grow 
operations, as opposed to the straight criminal law that we have," he said.

Under the proposed Grow Operation Health, Nuisance and Safety Bylaw, which 
the council has given three readings, Belcarra residents must not 
disconnect electricity, natural gas or water to the property for a grow-op. 
They also must not divert or install exhaust vents, hot water tanks or 
furnaces for such illegal operations.

As well, the homeowner or occupant must hire a professional cleaner - at 
their cost - to disinfect the home from mould caused by and contaminants 
used to grow pot, and the home cannot be re-occupied until it has been 
remediated and the village has inspected it. Under the planned bylaw, 
owners are also bound to inspect their rental homes at least every three 
months.

Drew said Belcarra is now waiting for approval to implement the bylaw from 
the B.C. government. When the city of Port Coquitlam introduced a similar 
bylaw forcing homeowners to rehabilitate their properties, it took the 
ministry of health more than a year to agree to the municipal rules.

According to the Fraser Institute, which released a study on marijuana in 
June, there are more than 17,500 grow-ops around B.C. The average pot farm 
yields around $20,000 every eight to 10 weeks or $120,000 a year.

Belcarra village council is also introducing a related bylaw that forces 
homeowners to take care of their properties. The Good Neighbour bylaw bans 
homeowners from causing a nuisance on their land. This means they must 
remove "unsightly accumulation of discarded materials, rubbish of any kind 
or graffiti;" prevent the infestation by noxious or destructive insects; 
clear their land of brush, noxious weeks and grass above 30 centimetres 
tall; and ensure outdoor lighting is shielded.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D