A 'FAIR' APPROACH TO POT

Port Coquitlam will not consider fees that penalize landlords with tenants
who operate marijuana grow-ops but will cooperate with Coquitlam RCMP's
anti-pot farm program.

RCMP will be working with the cities of PoCo and Coquitlam on a new program
to prevent the re-occurrence of marijuana grow operations in rental homes.
Although the RCMP program has been confirmed, the report gives an outline
of the intended approach.

According to a report to council, when police investigators confirm a
grow-op is present in an home, police will seize the equipment and BC Hydro
will disconnect all power to the building. The RCMP will proceed with
criminal prosecution and send a report to city staff detailing any interior
modifications or violations present in the home.

As the police report would be considered a formal complaint, city bylaw and
fire inspectors could investigate the home. All violations found could then
be enforced by the city, with the registered owner needing to fix the
violations before power is restored by B.C. Hydro. Coun. Darrell Penner
said this approach is far more fair than many others but said he wants to
make sure any fees are only high enough to recover costs.