Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jun 2013
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Peter Lenko

LEGAL GROW-OPS A BIGGER PROBLEM

Dear Editor,

While the grow-op discovered in Langley [Pot bunker uncovered, June 6,
Langley Advance] gained news coverage for its size and sophistication,
it is the least of people's concerns in Langley. Right now there are
many "legal" grow-ops in Langley in residential neighbourhoods.

Legal grow-ops operate in the same clandestine manner as illegal
grow-ops, where growers exhaust the capacity of the electric supply in
the neighbourhood, create a fire hazard, and aren't susceptible to any
building codes. They are susceptible to grow-rips, in which organized
crime breaks into the residence and takes the plants by force.

But the biggest difference is that a legal grow-op has immunity to any
warrant from law enforcement to search the property.

The people of Langley understand the need for medicinal marijuana, and
they couldn't care less if people use it recreationally, but the lack
of oversight has us fearing for our safety, especially when organized
crime gets the wrong address in a routine grow-rip across the street
from an elementary school.

Peter Lenko, Langley
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MAP posted-by: Matt