TILMA AND MARIJUANA

Dianne Watts, the Mayor of Surrey, B.C., is pressing for
regulation, either local or provincial, of hydroponics equipment as a
way of combatting B.C.'s marijuana grow-op problem (Surrey Prepared To
Go Solo In Grow-Op Crackdown - Sept 15). She may be able to gain
broad-based citizen support.

But any such attempt is likely to run afoul of the Trade, Investment
and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).

One of TILMA's operating principles is to "eliminate barriers that
restrict or impair investment." An unelected panel decides if a
proposed regulation complies with this principle. Hydroponics
equipment retailers interviewed stated regulation would drive them out
of business, a serious impairment of their investments.

The profoundly undemocratic TILMA has effectively tied the hands of
politicians on issues that may be important to their constituents.

Frederick Jelfs

Vancouver