Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jul 2007
Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Chilliwack Progress
Contact:  http://www.theprogress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562
Author: Diane Strandberg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

ANOTHER CITY WEEDING OUT GROW OPS

Coquitlam grow ops may not be a candidate for membership in the
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce but those indoor marijuana farms,
located in homes all over the region, could qualify as the one of the
city's largest industries.

Until now.

A $1.3-million co-operative project between the city, BC Hydro and
Coquitlam RCMP seems to be nipping these illegal businesses in the
bud. Since the Public Safety Inspection Program began a month ago, 23
properties have been inspected for excessive power use and 21
homeowners were fined $5,000 for a follow-up inspection. Crews that
entered the homes also found building modifications and other signs a
grow op was previously on the premises, such as mould and interference
with power, and piled on more fines.

The program won't put grow op owners behind bars. Owners of homes
suspected of housing grow ops get 48 hours notice of an inspection,
which gives them time to move all their plants and skip town. But it
must be a hassle to move 200 plus plants in the dead of night, and a
bill for $5,000 to $7,000 in fines should put a dent in the profits.

Concerns that legitimate businesses might be caught in up in the
crackdown have so far been eliminated. There were no fines levied
against two homes; at one, there was no evidence while the other was
an unauthorized, although legal, business that was using more than its
fair share of power.

People deserving of the hefty fines -- namely, the homeowners -- were
the ones to get slapped. If nothing else, the Public Safety Inspection
Program should at least make landlords more responsible for the
buildings they own.

The community also wins. An overloaded court system has been slow in
putting grow op owners behind bars, and it may not always be worth the
cost and effort to put some hired farm hand into the slammer.

Barring the legalization of pot, the most sensible course of action is
to tackle these pot houses as the safety hazards they are while also
making the city less desirable as a place to start a grow op business.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath