Pubdate: Tue, 04 Mar 2014
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Author: Mark Conlin

NO INFORMED LOBBY FOR MEDICAL POT FARMING

To the editor:

The manner in which districts and municipalities have chosen to deal 
with the issue of commercial medical marijuana only demonstrates an 
almost wilful perpetuation of the fear-based, ill-informed policies 
that have proven to be absolute failures, to this point.

The laws governing how medical marijuana grower/users must operate, 
are changing. It was a flawed system, to be sure, but, the changes 
being inflicted upon both patients and communities will not fix 
anything and, if the Supreme Court challenges prove successful-as I 
strongly believe they will-they'll be meaningless.

The issue is public concern over indoor grow ops in residential 
neighbourhoods. Fear of violent crime in the form of armed 
"grow-rips." Fear of reduced property value due to toxic chemicals 
and mold in the residences being used. Fear that the licensing system 
was being abused for commercial purposes. These were the reasons 
cited for the change-lots of fear, not much fact.

Due to medical confidentiality-which I support-we cannot know how 
many patient/growers actually only grew a few plants in their 
gardens. I would suspect that many, if not most, used this very 
inexpensive growing method. In that instance, a "grow-rip" would 
represent someone sneaking onto their property and raiding their 
garden. Awful, for the patient, but, hardly a violent act.

I think, given the high media profile of this issue, violent 
incidents involving marijuana are given a lot of attention. More so 
than the actual numbers might warrant. I mean, convenience stores/gas 
stations are certainly as likely, if not more so, to be targets for 
violent crime. Still, there doesn't seem to be any local authorities 
clamouring for by-law changes for them.

It's sad that there was no invitation extended to the many local 
growers to provide some experienced input. It seems, rather, that our 
respective councils would prefer to awkwardly stumble around using 
only their very limited knowledge on the issue.

Mark Conlin West Kelowna
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom