Pubdate: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2013 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Pamela Roth Page: 4 SHUTTERING HOME GROW-OPS A medical marijuana grow operation in a northside neighbourhood is causing a stink with residents wondering how the business wound up in the quiet cul de sac. The home belongs to one of approximately 110 people in the province licensed by Health Canada to produce marijuana medicinally for others. In the past decade, Health Canada's marijuana access program has grown exponentially from under 500 authorized persons in 2002 to more than 26,000 today. Officials say the rapid increase has had "unintended consequences" for public health, safety and security. Concerns have been expressed by law enforcement officials, fire departments and mayors across the country over rampant abuse of the system. As a result, Health Canada recently announced new regulations that include eliminating the production of marijuana in homes by March 2014 and moving it to commercial growers. The government will no longer produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes, but rather open the market to companies that meet strict security requirements and keep detailed records of all transactions. "We essentially are recognizing the program as it is today is too open to abuse," said Health Canada spokesperson Stephen Shank, who couldn't comment on specific homes or how many are in Edmonton. "It's offering our community more safety and security by removing some of those production sites within particular residential neighbourhoods that perhaps are open to abuse today." The home in the Hollick-Kenyan neighbourhood was brought to the Sun's attention by an area resident. Due to the high volume of traffic coming and going from the property at all hours, he suspects abuse of the system, and fears for his family's safety. The resident, who does not want to be identified, contacted the police, but they said their hands are somewhat tied. The Sun contacted the owner of the property, but he declined to comment. According to Health Canada, patients who are prescribed marijuana for pain management have two choices - they can either get a licence to grow it themselves or purchase it from the government. In order to obtain a designated person production licence (DDPL) from Health Canada, there are a number of conditions. A person can't be found guilty in the past 10 years of a designated drug offence and must provide a document by a Canadian police force establishing this fact. The licence can be yanked for 10 years if they are found abusing the rules. The maximum amount of plants a grower is allowed to produce is determined by the daily amount of dried marijuana prescribed by a doctor. A person who holds a production licence can produce marijuana for a maximum of two people who have authorizations from Health Canada to possess the drug for medical purposes. The maximum number of production licences (either personal use or designated-person) at one site is four. As for keeping an eye on the growers, Health Canada said it conducts approximately 180 inspections on regulated parties per year for all controlled substances and precursor chemicals. But concerned residents say it's not enough. "How does Health Canada know exactly what's happening behind closed doors?" said the concerned Hollick-Kenyan man. "They've authorized these people to do this, but are they really doing what they are supposed to be doing?" - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom