Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2013
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Author: Michelle Young
Page: 3

COUNCIL HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT MARIJUANA RULES

'We shouldn't suggest everyone who grows marijuana is living in a
death trap'

City council agreed Tuesday on a list of four questions to send to
Ottawa regarding medical marijuana grow-ops.

The issue had been tabled because the federal government began
consultation on its proposed changes to medical marijuana regulations.
But council decided Tuesday to send the list, despite the pending changes.

Coun. Nelly Dever said her intent was to get an answer back regarding
the current rules, not proposed legislation.

The first question asked what steps the federal government will take
to remediate the homes of people who have production licences for
medical marijuana grow-ops.

While marijuana grows can cause problems with mould or electrical
systems, some councillors wondered if the feds have any role in
repairing people's homes.

"A lot of those who hold licences to produce in their homes, their
homes have become unsafe. Mould, electrical, etc. RCMP and fire cannot
go into those homes. What are they (the federal government) going to
do for the damage they've done? They've created the mess, how are they
going to clean it up?" said Dever.

But some councillors felt that question was beyond the City's scope,
while Coun. Tina Lange said it makes an assumption about the licenced
growers.

"We can't assume there will be problems with homes because of medical
marijuana being grown there. But this question could also alert the
feds that we want something done."

Coun. Pat Wallace agreed.

"To imply everyone's house will be substandard is inaccurate. I
understand some do it outside. Some have greenhouses. We shouldn't
suggest everyone who grows marijuana is living in a death trap."

The other questions concerned parameters for smoking in public and
experimental research and development around medical marijuana.

Coun. Donovan Cavers added a fourth question asking what federal
resources would be allocated to ensure medical marijuana users have
easy access to their medication when the regulation changes take place.

"The reason for this is some people are concerned if it's limited to
industrial areas their access to medical marijuana will be limited."

All of council but two voted to add Cavers's question to the list, and
to approve sending the list to Ottawa.

Councillors Ken Christian and Pat Wallace opposed both motions.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt