NO LAUGHING MATTER

The fact the former Molson Brewery in Barrie has been used as a
"marijuana factory" for at least a year -- right under the eyes
(noses) of civic officials and police -- may seem humorous at first
glance, but it's no laughing matter.

And a lawyer representing six of the men charged in connection with
Canada's largest indoor pot bust is dead wrong when he says his
clients don't belong in jail and the public finds the whole matter
"amusing."

Regardless of your views on the relaxation of marijuana laws in
Canada, illegal grow houses are a very serious problem for a number of
reasons.

First, grow operations are often connected to organized crime and with
that comes a litany of other problems -- drug trafficking, guns,
assaults, murder.

Nothing 'amusing' about that, is there?

Second, the theft of hydro to operate a grow house impacts everyone.
In 2002 it's estimated $85-million in electricity was stolen to
operate pot houses, which accounted for 85 per cent of an estimated
$100-million overall hit to the economy.

Third, as many as 10,000 children and their families may have been
living in grow houses between 2000-03 exposing themselves to health
and safety risks, not to mention violence.

As well, insurance rates -- already at obscene levels in some cases --
rise due in part to grow house operations.

Also, the fact 17 per cent of all grow house operations are found
within 500 metres of a primary or secondary school isn't very comforting.

Illegal grow house operations hurt us all in a variety of ways -- and
there's nothing 'amusing' about that.