SMOKED OUT

SMOKED OUT: Head shops selling pipes and rolling papers, and garden
suppliers who sell hydroponic equipment, may come under close scrutiny as
Abbotsford tries to squeeze out marijuana growers.

Mayor Mary Reeves is convening a group of 30 to 40 stakeholders to launch
an anti-marijuana grow-op task force.

Invitees include members from the Fraser Health Authority, insurance
companies, real estate agents, banks, fire, police, BC Hydro, other
municipalities and neighbourhood groups.

Councillor Mark Warawa said new strategies could include examining
retailers who supply hydroponic supplies to grow ops and shops selling
pipes, rolling papers and associated paraphernalia to pot smokers.

"It'll be really interesting to see what percentage of their business goes
to selling a product that is going to be used by grow-ops," he said.

"I'm not talking about good retailers. I'm talking about retailers, if
their product is being sold for illegal operations, we need to get those
retailers on side, to do due diligence," Warawa explained.

Warawa said shops that sell pipes and papers flaunt Canadian laws.