Pubdate: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Surrey Leader Contact: http://www.surreyleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236 Author: Michelle Rainey Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n187/a01.html?1227 STATEMENTS ARE 'OUTRAGEOUS' Re: "How many legal pot grow-ops are in Surrey?" According to Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis, "They're not regulated, they're not permitted, there's no safety inspections - there's no difference (in the structure) between a legal and illegal grow. That's the bottom line." As a legal producer and user of medicinal cannabis, I am completely outraged by the statements made by Mr. Garis. There is a difference between a legal and illegal cannabis production. We, who are legal, are fighting to save our lives with this precious medicine. The majority of legal producers take great care when setting up their gardens, knowing the risks and consequences and making sure all precautions are taken. Considering there is a high percentage of homes without grow-ops that have dilapidated structures, inferior electrical wiring and poor plumbing that could self-combust at any moment, why do officials feel it necessary to "hunt" us as easy prey? We are already suffering enough with various illnesses and diseases that pharmaceuticals could not alleviate. No one has died or overdosed on marijuana. Mr. Garis would like the names and addresses of all 5,000 licensed Health Canada users, that way we all can be victimized when the list falls into the wrong hands. Mr. Garis has given us another reason to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana in Canada with his uncompassionate opinion. Michelle Rainey Cannabis patients advocate and cancer and Crohn's disease patient Maple Ridge - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart