MARIJUANA FACTORY TARGETED BY NEW WEST

VANCOUVER - A marijuana growing operation operating out of a two-storey home
in Queensborough is fighting efforts by the city of New Westminster to shut
it down.

The city has written to Health Canada saying all activity must cease
until city inspectors are satisfied the operation meets all safety and
security requirements.

In its letter, the city expresses concern about the safety hazards of
electrical bypasses and mould spores. It also says police have worries about
security and the potential for crime.

The person in charge of the growing operation says the city is just looking
for any excuse to shut down his fledgling operation.

"They don't like us here," says Michael Maniotis. "They don't like the idea
of the marijuana factory being within their city limits."

Maniotis is growing the pot on behalf of three people who have Health Canada
permits to grow enough marijuana to meet their medical needs. He says
everything is above board.

"This isn't an illegal grow op where we have 50 lights going hooked up to
the outside Hydro hoping to make a million dollars at the end of it," he
says. "We're trying to get medicine for three people here."

Maniotis says if anyone has done anything wrong it's the city, for revealing
information about the licensees that is supposed to remain confidential.