Pubdate: Thu, 18 Jul 2013
Source: Cowichan Valley Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Cowichan Valley Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/cowichanvalleycitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4349
Author: Sarah Simpson

NEIGHBOURS SICK OF LEGAL SHAWNIGAN GROW OPERATION

Neil Haley and his neighbours are wringing their hands over what to do
about the nuisance that's recently moved into their Shawnigan Lake
community.

A legal marijuana grow operation, licensed by the federal government,
has been up and running inside a garage for upwards of five months
now.

"The stench coming out of it is causing families to be ill with
headaches and nausea," Haley said.

According Shawnigan Lake RCMP Cpl. Jason Kerr, whose officers
inspected the property last week, there was no illegal activity going
on inside the garage that housed the pot factory.

But neighbours tell another story, says the CVRD's Shawnigan Lake Dir.
Bruce Fraser.

"They've seen late-night parties going on next door in the adjacent
lot with people running in and out of the facility with the suspicion
that it's a drug supply for parties and not strictly a medical
[operation]," Fraser said.

Residents now have worries about organized crime coming to their
community.

"There is lots of suspicion about where else the material may be
going," Fraser said. "Neighbours

are not happy that this is what it is actually purported to
be."

The odour is making it impossible for the young families and seniors
in the area to enjoy their homes and gardens, he said.

"It's an abomination for them. That, you would think would be
correctable with the proper filters but I think the owner of that
facility has shown extreme disregard for the comfort of their
neighbours," Fraser said.

Haley has spoken with Fraser, the RCMP, MP Jean Crowder's office and
to Health Canada - and thus far none of them have been able to allay
his concerns.

Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder said many regional districts and
municipalities don't have bylaws in place to regulate where these
operations can set up shop but the CVRD could act if other bylaws are
being broken.

"The licensing is one piece of it but if they are contravening
bylaws...just because you've got a licenced grow op doesn't mean that
you can flout whatever other regulations are in place," she said.

Fraser is working with CVRD staff and with legal advisors to see if
there is anything in the zoning bylaws or the nuisance provisions

of their bylaws that would be able to ameliorate the
situation.

But Crowder says it won't be much longer until small medical marijuana
growing operations like the one in question are done with for good.

"As a result of numerous complaints and problems, Health Canada is
revamping the program and licences will not be renewed [as of October
2013]. These grow ops will be gone," she said.

A more commercial process will replace what exists, all but
eliminating the one-off growers and replacing them with massive
industrial operations. Until then, if citizens have concerns, they
need to contact Health Canada and if they don't get anywhere, Crowder
can reach out on their behalf, she said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt