Pubdate: Sun, 22 Jul 2007
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Kenneth Jackson, Sun Media

NO ONE TO TAKE A LOOK

Licensed Growers in Ontario Outnumber Inspectors 557-0

Six years after Health Canada began granting the severely ill licences
to grow marijuana, the federal agency is just now looking to hire
inspectors for Ontario.

At 557, the province has the highest number of cultivators in the
country.

"A competitive process is underway to hire regional compliance
officers for Ontario," says spokesman Paul Duchesne, who couldn't
explain why it's taken this long.

Alberta, with 93 legal growers, is the only other province without
inspectors. Health Canada has five inspectors for all other provinces
and territories.

Critics say the feds are severely neglecting health-related issues by
not having enough inspectors in place.

Experts claim grow ops create humidity, which can produce mould,
mildew and other toxins known to cause everything from skin disease to
respiratory problems to death.

Not Built for That

"Grow ops use large amounts of water, and as a result in maintaining
the site, the house retains a high humidity. (Homes) are not designed
to deal with that type of air mixture," says Andrew Roche, program
manager for Ottawa Public Health.

Toxins are particularly harmful to children.

The OPP are shocked.

"I had no idea this was happening. It's certainly problematic when an
inspection process is in place but there are no people in place to
carry out the inspections," says Sgt. Paul Henry, of the provincial
drug enforcement unit.

Health Canada's Duchesne says patients are given legislation outlining
the rules and regulations about operating a home grow op.

They are also told their site could be inspected at any time, but only
with permission from an occupant.

"Individuals ... are required to observe all other federal, provincial
and municipal by-laws such as zoning, fire and safety regulations,"
Duchesne notes.

"If we receive information that their activity is actually illegal,
then we'll investigate," adds the OPP's Henry.

Roche says the City of Ottawa has never inspected a legal grow op,
adding it's the feds' job.

There is a regional compliance officer for the Atlantic provinces,
Quebec and only one for both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The officers are designated under the Drug Strategy and Controlled
Substances Act.

People who want marijuana for medical reasons have three options: Buy
it from the feds, grow it or designate someone to grow it for the m.
First they need a doctor's note saying they've exhausted all other
treatment options. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake