Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jan 2005
Source: Agassiz Harrison Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Agassiz Observer
Contact:  http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1344
Author: James Baxter, Observer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

NEW BYLAW TARGETS GROW-OPS

Harrison council has adopted a new bylaw they hope will be an
effective tool for combating marijuana grow-ops in the community.

Bylaw 829, the so-called 'nuisance, noxious or offensive trades,
health and safety' bylaw, primarily targets premises being used as
grow-ops or drug labs and ones that have housed marijuana cultivation
in the past.

Among other things, the bylaw provides the village with the power to
enforce stringent remediation guidelines upon property owners who now
face fines up to $10,000 for non-compliance.

It is basically identical to the 'Chilliwack Grow-op' prohibition and
residential premises regulation bylaw.

Mayor John Allen said it was important to adopt the bylaw in
consideration of similar bylaws quickly appearing in other Fraser
Valley communities.

"We wanted to make sure Harrison did not become the grow-op capital of
the Fraser Valley," he said.

The bylaw addresses activities often related to grow-ops, including
prohibition of:

* electrical or water distribution system meter disconnections for the
purpose of preventing the electrical or water supplier form
ascertaining consumption.

* construction of traps or other harm-inflicting devices.

* growth, on any portion of the building, of mould or fungus arising
from or in relation to the cultivation of marijuana plants or the
production of amphetamines inthe building.

* diversion or installation of exhaust vents of hot water tanks or
furnaces to exhaust into or within the building instead of by way of
an exhaust vent constructed on installed in compliance with applicable
enactments.

* construction or installsation of any obstruction of an exit or an
access to an exit required by the Building Code (British Columbia).

In addition to providing the village with the authority to enter and
inspect offending buildings, the bylaw will also allow the village to
fulfill its responsibility for public health and safety, the mayor
noted.

"If environmental hazards are created in a building by grow ops or
labs producing drugs, we have a responsibility to anybody using those
buildings [subsequently] that they do not contain toxic substances
that will affect their health," he said.

The mayor explained the bylaw will now provide a disincentive to
absentee landlords "who may want to rent out property for these types
of uses."

Property owners will be responsible for paying all costs associated
with inspection, remediation and compliance, and failure to pay can
result in owed amounts being collected against their taxes or even
seizure of their property.
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MAP posted-by: Derek