HALF MEASURES USELESS AGAINST GROW-OP SCOURGE

Canadians must decide what to do about marijuana cultivation. Either
it is legal and taxed, or it is illegal and laws against it are
enforced. The present situation of using half measures to address
this issue is frustrating for anyone who takes law and order seriously.

Abbotsford city councillors were understandably upset with Victoria's
reaction to this city's get-tough approach to grow-ops. Abbotsford
wants to monitor the products that hydroponics stores typically
supply -- albeit legally -- to marijuana grow-ops.

Indeed, if customers are doing nothing illegal with their grow lights
or other head shop accoutrements, the buyers should have no
compunction about providing their name and address when purchasing these items.

Abbotsford took its idea to other cities and towns in the province
via the Union of B.C. Municipalities, and won support. The UBCM
referred the issue to Victoria, asking for legislation.

But the solicitor general's office recently told Abbotsford that even
this simple record-keeping system requires further research.

The City of Abbotsford has shown leadership in using what powers it
has to battle grow-ops. Acting on tips from neighbours, the city
detects the grow-ops using heat-sensing equipment. City officials
then have the authority to shut the water off to the property, issue
a non-residency order, and inform the police about the situation.

Local police are also right in the fray. Mission RCMP recently added
a grow-op investigator who has doubled the number of cultivation
sites they are taking down on the north side of the Fraser.

But the punishments for offenders are so light that this is indeed a
crime that pays. And now Victoria gives us another example of
legislators being soft on this crime.

Unfortunately, marijuana cultivation is a serious issue in Lower
Mainland communities, where organized crime plays a huge role in this
underground economy. This scene, with its pitbulls, gunplay and home
invasions, has gotten so scary that the main deterrent to potential
growers is the rest of the criminal element, rather than the frail
arm of the law.

Government must either:

A) Decriminalize marijuana or make it fully legal but controlled,
thereby decreasing its value as contraband, or

B) Give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to enforce the
laws as they stand.