Pubdate: Tue, 17 Apr 2012
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Michael Mui

GROW-OP PROPOSAL A SAFETY CONCERN

A proposal to move medical marijuana grow-ops away from private 
residences on the Sunshine Coast has raised a few eyebrows locally.

Expected to come to vote next month, the 'medical marijuana 
production zoning' bylaw would give the district municipality the 
ability to move residential medical marijuana growers to industrial 
properties -- and more importantly get them to register for business 
licences -- for those serving multiple clients.

The public wouldn't have access to the information, but city and 
provincial inspectors could then be able to ensure the properties are 
safe and "up to code." The bylaw aims to address common fire hazard 
and burglary risks associated with residential legal grow-ops.

"There are safety concerns about too many people knowing about where 
it is," said Sechelt community planner Andre Boel. "The fire 
department would know for sure, and possibly the police."

While establishing some kind of legal grow-op database -- currently 
unavailable without warrants because of privacy laws -- would benefit 
both Vancouver's fire and police departments, according to their 
officials, Vancouver City Coun. Kerry Jang isn't sure.

"As soon as you identify where something is, when there's still 
organized crime involvement, it's a recipe for trouble," he said Monday.

"Our industrial zones in Vancouver are right next door to residential 
zones, and bullets and weapons often don't respect boundaries."

Jang adds he's more interested in full government regulation and taxation.

Sechelt's proposed bylaw is worded to "require" larger scale legal 
growers to register and move to industrial properties. However, Boel 
admitted the requirement is toothless, as the city can't force 
medical growers to reveal their identities and locations, both 
protected by federal privacy laws.

Prince George had also toyed with a similar bylaw change, according 
to the Sechelt report, but dropped the idea because of concerns over 
the federal jurisdiction.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom