MARIJUANA GROWERS SET UP SHOP IN DOWNTOWN SMITHS FALLS

Licence Still Pending; Angry Area Residents Want Operation Moved

A Smiths Falls medicinal marijuana grow operation has been quietly growing
cannabis for months, even though its premises have not yet been zoned for a
greenhouse and a Health Canada licence to operate the facility is still
pending.

These revelations were made public last night at a meeting of the planning
committee of town council, which heard a proposal to amend the town's
zoning bylaw for the offices of Carasel Harvest Supply Corporation.

The corporation rents space in a building that once housed a Canadian Tire
store downtown. The space is currently zoned as a clinic, but Carasel wants
the zoning changed to allow for a greenhouse operation.

However, upon moving into the space in February, Carasel immediately began
preparations for the growing of organic marijuana, including the
installation of an advanced ventilation system and commercial alarms.

At the meeting, Carasel CEO Samantha Klinck told council and town residents
that her company "did not want to make a big stir" out of the operation,
partially to thwart unwanted interest from potential marijuana thieves.

Although Ms. Klinck said the Health Canada licence is still pending,
Carasel has been growing marijuana for several months.

Unlike other medicinal marijuana grow operations, Car-asel's cannabis is
not grown hydroponically, but organically in soil.

"It's healthier -- people are ingesting this, not only smoking it and we
expect our results to be better than those of the government's crop. ...
We're dealing with very sick people who need this as quickly as possible.

"We're doing our best to be as upfront as possible, and we hope that we
don't meet much resistance," she said. "We'd rather have support from the
community."

But Gladys Weinstein, who lives next door to the business, voiced
objections to the amendment last night. She questioned the wisdom of the
town potentially sanctioning the growth of an illegal substance.

But town clerk Elaine Mallory informed council and observers that "the
nature of growth of vegetation isn't relevant" under the re-zoning bylaw.

Furthermore, city councillor and planning committee member Gerry Huddleston
said police Chief Larry Hardy "expressed no concern" over the operation.
"At our first meeting with the people from Carasel, the chief was right on
their side."

Ms. Klinck agreed that police response has been positive, adding that
attitude has boosted her confidence and that of her co-workers.

"We don't worry about the police because they have been amazingly
supportive, and besides, we don't feel that we're doing anything wrong.
What we're doing is no different from growing watermelons."

Nonetheless, Ms. Weinstein was opposed to the proposal. "I understand that
it's legal to grow medicinal marijuana now, but it's unsavoury, and I don't
want it going on next door."

Town council will vote on the zoning issue next Monday.