CONCERNS RISE OVER PROPOSED MARIJUANA GROW OPERATION

Neighbours Up in Arms Over Health Canada-Approved Pot Grow Business

PORT HOPE -- Port Hope resident Lee Winfield is petrified about the
prospects of living near a marijuana grow operation.

Ever since news came last month that the municipality may soon become
home to a such a facility, Mr. Winfield has been pressing council to
stop his neighbour, Jacob Tapiero, from producing the Health
Canada-approved weed sought after by chronic pain sufferers.

Most recently, on Tuesday night, he asked council to reconsider Mr.
Tapiero's certificate of occupancy, issued by Port Hope's building department.

But Mayor Linda Thompson said the municipality has no right to hold
back such documentation.

"It meets the required building code," she said.

Mr. Winfield, who told council he had to calm down a neighbour one
night recently because of "considerable" helicopter activity in the
area, also wanted the municipality to ask Mr. Tapiero what kind of
insurance he holds on the property.

Again, his plea for action was refused.

"We're not in a position to ask an individual what insurance they
have," said municipal CAO Eugene Todd. "The owner is not obligated to
answer that particular question."

To date, more than 100 questions from the public and council members
have been collected, sorted, and compiled by the municipality
regarding the grow-operation.

"It's quite a comprehensive and, I hope, exhaustive list we've
compiled," said Mr. Todd.

The questions, mostly concerning the legal and safety issues around
the operation, have been sent to Health Canada, the Ontario
Provincial Police, and Mr. Tapiero.

The answers will be heard at Port Hope's committee of the whole
meeting on Tuesday, May 25.