COBOURG LOOKING AT WAYS TO DEAL WITH GROWING PROBLEM

COBOURG -- The first draft of a bylaw dealing with hydroponic marijuana
home-grow operations is a proactive measure the Town and police need to
take, says the local police chief. "We have had to contend with a few thus
far and have no reason not to believe others exist which have not come to
our attention," says Police Chief Garry Clement.

The bylaw would "prohibit excessive hydroponic activities" and make it
easier to dismantle a marijuana home-grow operation using Town building
code bylaws and fines. Instead of waiting for criminal proceedings to be
completed, police could use the bylaw to begin dismantling a home-grow
operation right away. Chief Clement says should Cobourg become a target of
numerous grow operations, Cobourg police would not be able to cope. The
draft bylaw was presented to the Cobourg Police Services Board for the
first time on Thursday, April 29.

"I hope this provokes some thought, it is about stepping out of the box and
looking at things," explains Chief Clement. "We do not have the resources
to do everything to get into these places and we need everyone together to
get this into play."

Councillor Lloyd Williams, Town protection services co-ordinator, says the
draft bylaw is still in its early stages and he is sure there will be
plenty of change and debate.

"It will be reconsidered further by the board," says Coun. Williams.

While working on the Town's fortification bylaw, which prohibits
alterations to windows with materials such as steel plates or bulletproof
shutters, Chief Clement discussed with the Town solicitor the idea of the
hydroponic marijuana grow bylaw. Chief Clement says he received a positive
response from the solicitor and it was "deemed a viable option."

Excessive hydroponic activities under the bylaw are described as electrical
power boosts, installation of 1,000-watt lights (used to aid the growth of
plants) and the bypass of legal hydroelectric hook-ups. The bylaw would not
apply to hydroponic vegetable, florist or shrubbery operations.

Marijuana home-grow operations pose a greater risk for a fire, create
health hazards due to mould and chemicals used in the operation and
evidence has shown that the operations are situated in residential
neighbourhoods, says Chief Clement.