Pubdate: Mon, 17 Dec 2012
Source: Tribune, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/letters
Website: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/
Author: Dave Johnson

WAINFLEET TO CONSIDER BYLAW REGARDING MARIJUANA GROW OPERATIONS

WAINFLEET - With Wainfleet being home to several large-scale
marijuana-growing operations over the past several years, township
council may have a way to deal with part of the problem.

Tuesday night, township staff will recommend aldermen pass a bylaw to
enter into an agreement with Niagara Regional Police regarding grow-ops.

A staff report says since early 2000, police and local municipalities
have recognized an increase in marijuana-growing operations in Niagara
and that they present public safety concerns with respect to fire and
building safety.

Earlier this year, residents living next to 43634 Hwy. 3 approached
council to see if something could be done about that residence and
greenhouse complex. It was the scene of an $11-million pot bust on
July 25 of this year and in March 2005, between 5,000 and 6,000
marijuana plants, estimated at that time to be worth between $5
million and $6 million, were seized from the same property.

Council will hear Tuesday that marijuana-growing operations protocol
has been developed to establish defined mutual and separate
responsibilities for effective response and remediation, and that will
ensure once police identify a property as a grow-op, any steps deemed
necessary may be taken and implemented to ensure the building no
longer presents a hazard to the safety of public interest and
surrounding community.

"After consulting with area municipalities to inquire whether or not a
protocol agreement had been entered into, staff determined that of the
municipalities that responded, the majority have already done so," the
report says. "A few municipalities will be bringing their
recommendation to enter into the aforementioned agreement to their
council within the new year."

Wainfleet council starts at 7 p.m. in township hall at 31940 Hwy. 3.
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