Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2011 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html Website: http://www.theprovince.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Page: A6 Author: Cassidy Olivier MEDICAL GROW-OPS TARGETED Three Robbed In Six Months; Licensed Growers Cautioned Some Langley residents who are legally licensed to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes are being ripped off by thieves. Three medicinal marijuana growops have been robbed within the past six months, although RCMP say there is no way to tell if the facilities are being specifically targeted because they are a medicinal operation or just because they have pot. The latest incident happened Sunday at 3: 30 a.m. when two men, armed with a rifle and a knife, forced their way into a home in the Brookswood neighbourhood. They overpowered the victim and tied him up, covering his eyes. They ransacked the house, taking pot plants the victim was licensed to grow. There was a similar incident in late December 2010 when five individuals, two of them armed, forced their way into a residence in the Fernridge area of south Langley, which was also legally licensed to grow marijuana. The plants weren't stolen because they weren't mature, but the thieves left with a laptop and a cellphone. In October 2010, a Willoughby residence, again licensed to grow marijuana, was ransacked by three armed individuals. No arrests have been made in any of the robberies. "Any home invasion or any growrip is concerning, but I have no way of knowing if this is specifically targeting medicinal grow operations," said Cpl. Holly Marks of the Langley RCMP, who advised licensed grow-operators to employ basic home security. Resident safety is something the City of Chilliwack is taking into account as they consider asking strata councils to draft a bylaw that would prohibit medicinal grow-operators from living in their buildings. In addition to the safety risk associated with armed thefts, the city is concerned with the fire and health hazards such operations pose. There are an estimated 50 medicinal growops in Chilliwack, one of which is in a strata building. Elaine McCormack, a Vancouverbased real-estate lawyer, said such a bylaw would likely be legal, although it could raise a number of legal and, potentially, human rights challenges. "I anticipate some very interesting legal proceedings resulting from marijuana grow-ops in multi-family dwellings," she said. The City of Chilliwack is expected to review the matter in a few months. Anyone with information regarding the robberies is asked to call Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Comment on this story online at theprovince.com or email us at Include your name and address. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart