REGULATING HYDROPONICS START OF SLIPPERY SLOPE

There is little doubt the initiative by Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis
to go after grow ops is showing dividends.

With a decrease in the actual numbers and the accompanying publicity,
the decision to have the fire department work with BC Hydro to find
homes using excessive power will give many wannabe pot cultivators
pause before proceeding.

But lost amid all the good news is another initiative the City of
Surrey is proposing - a registration system for hydroponic equipment.

The city is serious about this, taking the issue to the Union of BC
Municipalities' annual meeting later this month and hoping to get
that body's support for province-wide regulations.

As the city rightly points out, there is no benefit to one city
regulating the sale of the equipment if a purchaser can just go to a
neighbouring community and purchase it without providing any details.

On the surface, the idea seems to make sense: let's stop people from
growing marijuana.

But this kind of intrusion into people's lives also leaves an
uncomfortable feeling.

What happens to the information collected? Do the police and fire
department make a quick visit to make sure only tomatoes are being
grown? Do you have to undergo a criminal record check to grow vegetables?

At this time, it's only an idea and it is one worth exploring and
discussing fully.

But in the zeal to catch the bad guys, it's imperative we make sure
we don't accidently ensare the innocent.

For evidence of a good idea gone bad, just look to the gun registry.
Turns out criminals don't register their firearms.