WEEDING OUT THE BAD GUYS

Chilliwack continues to have a marijuana problem. That much is pretty
clear, if you've followed our Homegrown series over the last four
editions of the Chilliwack Times.

In many neighbourhoods where farmland has been paved over to make way
for homes, houses are now being used for agriculture--specifically, to
grow marijuana.

Even Cheech and Chong aficionados should see a problem with
this.

Residential pot farmers damage houses, pose a significant fire hazard,
and siphon more than a $100 million of electricity from BC Hydro, a
company owned by B.C. taxpayers.

At the same time, they produce a good that funnels tax-free money into
the pockets of gangsters, or that is sent to the United States in
exchange for weapons and hard drugs.

These facts are beyond dispute.

But so is the fact that the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by
the government or police has been unable to curb marijuana use or
production. Indeed, pot is just as common as ever. The stigma
associated with its use has all but disappeared. But local, provincial
and federal governments continue to forego billions of dollars in tax
revenues in order to fight a battle they will never win.

With numerous states considering referendums that could legalize pot,
it's time to consider moving marijuana operations out of homes and
into greenhouses. That prohibition has failed is clear.

It's becoming increasing clear that pot needs to be very strictly
regulated, rather than being policed, and that those who make money
from it must start contributing to society.

The current situation is good only for gangsters, whose profit springs
from a street-honed ability to intimidate and bully rather than from
managerial or agricultural brilliance.

By forcing pot producers to comply with health and safety codes, pay
taxes and contribute to health and pension plans, perhaps pot could
become another agriculture feather in Chilliwack's cap, rather than a
blight on its neighbourhoods.