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Hydroponics Bylaw Gets Regional Support
Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Abbotsford Times
Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Christina Toth, Staff reporter
HYDROPONICS BYLAW GETS REGIONAL SUPPORT
Three Abbotsford resolutions, including one that could force
hydroponics retailers to keep records on customers who may be growing
marijuana, were accepted at last week's Lower Mainland Municipal
Association general meeting.
"It was approved by the LMMA executive who recommended it to the
broader membership. It was unanimously passed," said Abbotsford Mayor
Mary Reeves.
The LMMA represents 31 municipalities and three regional
districts.
"At this stage, it's a seed of an idea to see if some municipalities
had similar ideas. Obviously they did because it was passed
unanimously," said Reeves.
The resolution will be carried forward to the Union of B.C.
Municipalities, where it will likely undergo further fine-turning, she
said. If passed there, the resolution will go to a committee that
works with government staff to draft a bill and propose it as law,
said Reeves.
The motion is targeted at businesses that may be supplying marijuana
growers.
It requests an amendment to the Community Charter and the provincial
government to require "all businesses retailing or wholesaling
equipment and supplies that are associated with marihuana [growing]
operations, be required to keep track of their customers and notify
the chief constable that has jurisdiction in the local
government."
The resolution includes classes of "businesses that sell firearms,
nutrients, hydroponics equipment and other materials commonly used in
grow operations, be required to notify the chief constable of all
transactions."
Any resulting statute or regulation could mean purchasers of certain
materials may have to have licences or permits, as consumers do now
for rat poisons or pesticides, Reeves said.
The Community Charter already enables local governments to require
people selling or buying used or second-hand goods to submit records
of all transactions to local police.
"What we really want is a log on what customers buy and who the
customers are. It may be a combination of things already in place,"
said Reeves.
A second resolution, similar to ones proposed by other cities, calls
for provincial standards on the licensing and handling of fireworks.
The third resolution asks Victoria to make the use of booster seats
for young children mandatory in B.C.
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