GROW-OPS WORRY BAKER

HALIFAX - The province needs to consider its own legislation to fight
marijuana grow operations, Nova Scotia's justice minister says.

Michael Baker admits he doesn't know what's the best way to fight grow-ops,
so he's inviting experts on the issue to a symposium on dealing with
pot-growing operations in the coming months.

"We are interested in being proactive in fighting marijuana grow-ops. We
want to be on the leading edge of doing everything we can within the
existing criminal law to fight those kind of operations," he said.

Nova Scotia should look to Manitoba for how to bring in legislative reform
to combat grow-ops, Baker says. That province is focused on fortified
buildings that can be used as crack houses or for cultivating pot.

But he doesn't know exactly how the legislation would be worded. There has
to be a balance between protecting individual rights and the need to
protect society, Baker says.

Police say it's not just people in big cities who need protecting from
illegal drug operations, but residents of small towns too.

"I can ensure you that we are not immune from the effects of organized
criminal activity. Marijuana grow-ops are popping up in seemingly quiet
family neighbourhoods," said Amherst police Chief Charles Rushton.

Baker has yet to name a date or place for the symposium.