REZONING FOR MARIJUANA GREENHOUSE TURNED DOWN

SMITHS FALLS (Staff) -- Council refused to pass a bylaw Monday night that
would allow a greenhouse to grow medicinal marijuana.

Carasel Harvest Supply Corporation had been growing marijuana at 41 Centre
Street for medicinal purposes since February but without the required
licence from Health Canada.

The company's CEO, Samantha Klinck, met with the town's planning committee
on August 4 to discuss a zoning bylaw to permit the greenhouse. Police
raided the operation the next day.

Councillor Wendy Alford moved that council withdraw the motion for rezoning.

The proposed bylaw would have permitted the greenhouse to operate until
August 16, 2007 or until a greenhouse is no longer required to grow marijuana.

"I felt that the owner of the business opened Smiths Falls to
embarrassment," said Alford.

However, she made it clear that "this is not council's role to discuss what
kind of business runs in this town. That is a business issue," she said.

"Our role is to consider the zoning. The Health Canada licence was not in
place and we decided to withdraw (the bylaw)."

Smiths Falls police confiscated 221 marijuana plants with an estimated
street value of $220,000 after determining that Carasel Harvest Supply
Corporation was not licensed by Health Canada. Charges are currently pending.

Klinck could not be reached for comment by press time.