FEDS LOOK TO TIGHTEN MEDICAL POT RULES

The federal government is looking to tighten rules on medical
marijuana so only licensed, private operators are allowed to grow it.

The proposed changes would create a new network of commercial-scale
growers and phase out home-based grow operations.

"Our government is very concerned that the current Marijuana Medical
Access Program is open to abuse and exploitation by criminal
elements," said Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq on Friday.

"That is why we are proposing improvements to the program that will
reduce the risk of abuse and keep our children and communities safe,
while significantly improving the way program participants access
marihuana for medical purposes."

Health Canada has already begun public consultations about the
proposed changes that would streamline the application process for
access to medical marijuana and see commercial producers licensed by
Health Canada to grow and distribute dried marijuana.

Individuals would purchase their supply of dried marihuana from one of
the licensed commercial producers.

The changes to phase out home-based operations couldn't come quicker
for the City of Pitt Meadows.

A lone medical marijuana growop located in a quiet residential
neighbourhood continues to frustrate city officials who have been
unable to get the grower to relocate because of crop's legal status.

One of several councillors who've been fielding complaints about the
property, Gwen O'Connell has been telling neighbours the city is doing
all it can.

"Our hands are tied," said O'Connell.

"The federal government completely takes it out of your hands. I feel
so bad for that neighbourhood."

Pitt Meadows has a bylaw that prohibits growing medical marijuana for
others, but has been unable to outlaw growing it for personal use.

But the city has been keeping a close eye on the lone legal growop and
often requests to inspect the property to make sure the grower is
complying with his Health Canada license for 46 plants.

Bylaws officer Leslie Elchuk said it's the only legal grow op she
knows about in a residential neighbourhood in Pitt Meadows.

"As long as everything is inspected and it's safe, there is nothing we
can do."

Comments about proposed changes to the medical marijuana program can
be submitted to Health Canada until July 31.