POT BYLAW GETS OK

After months of debate and discussion, Richmond council passed the city's
new grow-op bylaw without so much as a peep of contention.

The bylaw, which passed final reading Monday night, means Richmond
landlords could be on the hook for police and fire service costs if a
grow-op or illegal drug lab is found on their premises.

The bylaw would only apply, however, if it is determined the landlord
failed to inspect the site every 90 days.

"We're not asking landlords to take matters into their own hands," Coun.
Evelina Halsey-Brandt assured landlord William Patterson.

Patterson, who owns a number of condominiums, presented his concerns
earlier in the meeting, saying he wouldn't know a marijuana plant from any
other kind of plant.

Landlords are not expected to be botanists, but they are expected to report
anything suspicious such as excessive mold or unreasonably high electricity
costs.

The bylaw is part of a concerted effort to tackle the problem of grow-ops
and meth labs in Richmond, where the city has spent millions of dollars on
cleanup costs.