Pubdate: Thu, 1 May 2008
Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2008 The Pensacola News Journal
Contact:  http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)

MCCOLLUM PRAISES ANTI-POT BILL

Attorney General Bill McCollum today commended Florida lawmakers for
passing the Marijuana Grow House Eradication Act.

The measure enhances penalties for people who grow marijuana in homes
throughout the state.

The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Steve Oelrich (R-Gainesville)
and Rep. Nick Thompson (R-Fort Myers).

"As marijuana becomes more and more dangerous, grow houses are
creating serious threats to our neighborhoods and communities,"
McCollum said in a news release. "Not only is the new form of the drug
much more potent, the grow houses often invite violence from rival
operators.

"I applaud our legislative sponsors and the Florida Legislature for
recognizing this threat and giving our law enforcement officers better
tools to combat it."

Once signed, this legislation will make it a second-degree felony to
grow 25 or more plants, targeting for-profit growers who exploit
Florida's current threshold of 300 plants. The legislation will also
make it a third-degree felony to own a house for the purpose of
cultivating, packaging and distributing marijuana and a first-degree
felony to grow 25 or more plants in a home with children present.

More information is available online at: 
http://myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/3394EB5EBFC449068525736800633AE2.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake