PITT MEADOWS MOVES TO BAN LEGAL POT GROW-OPS

The City of Pitt Meadows is on its way to banning medical marijuana
grow operations.

Council gave third reading to a bylaw amendment Tuesday to prohibit
growing the plant for medicinal use in residential and agricultural
zones.

The city is among the first in Canada to use a municipal bylaw to
thwart an activity that's sanctioned under federal law.

Growing medical marijuana for personal use will still be permitted in
the city, but growing for others as a home-based business will not be
allowed.

Only one person spoke against the proposed amendment.

Sandra Colasanti, a medical marijuana advocate who helps patients
navigate the Health Canada application process, asked council to
rethink its stance.

"I worry about it becoming a situation where we are discriminating
against people who can't grow for themselves," the Maple Ridge
resident said.

In Canada, there are 1,137 residents who hold a Personal Use
Production Licence, or Designated-Person Production Licence, from
Health Canada - a permit that allows you to grow legal cannabis.

Currently, 85 per cent of those authorized have 25 plants or
less.

Council, concerned about the risk of fires and crime often associated
with marijuana grow operations, unanimously supported the amendment.

"This is not a debate on legalization," said Coun. Gwen
O'Connell.

Coun. Deb Walters sympathized with people who needed to use medical
marijuana and wished the federal government had checks in place to
ensure medical grow operations were safe and complying with
regulations.

"In the meantime, this bylaw protects the citizens of Pitt Meadows and
I will be supporting it," she said.

The bylaw amendment goes to a final vote in September, when council
returns from a summer break.