'MARIJUANA FACTORY' TARGETED BY NEW WEST

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

'They don't like the idea of a marijuana factory being within their city
limits' ­ Michael Maniotis. 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 operator of the grow op 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, and
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.