STATEMENTS ARE 'OUTRAGEOUS'

Re: "How many legal pot grow-ops are in Surrey?"

According to Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis, "They're not regulated,
they're not permitted, there's no safety inspections - there's no
difference (in the structure) between a legal and illegal grow.
That's the bottom line."

As a legal producer and user of medicinal cannabis, I am completely
outraged by the statements made by Mr. Garis. There is a difference
between a legal and illegal cannabis production. We, who are legal,
are fighting to save our lives with this precious medicine.

The majority of legal producers take great care when setting up their
gardens, knowing the risks and consequences and making sure all
precautions are taken.

Considering there is a high percentage of homes without grow-ops that
have dilapidated structures, inferior electrical wiring and poor
plumbing that could self-combust at any moment, why do officials feel
it necessary to "hunt" us as easy prey?

We are already suffering enough with various illnesses and diseases
that pharmaceuticals could not alleviate. No one has died or
overdosed on marijuana.

Mr. Garis would like the names and addresses of all 5,000 licensed
Health Canada users, that way we all can be victimized when the list
falls into the wrong hands. Mr. Garis has given us another reason to
legalize, tax and regulate marijuana in Canada with his
uncompassionate opinion.

Michelle Rainey

Cannabis patients advocate and cancer and Crohn's disease patient

Maple Ridge