POT PLACE IRKS COUNCIL

The City of New Westminster isn't high on the federal government's decision
to grant a licence for a medical marijuana operation in Queensborough.

New Westminster police and city hall recently learned that the residents of
a rental property in Queensborough had obtained the necessary permits
pursuant to the Marijuana Medical Access Regulation to cultivate marijuana
for medical purposes. The operation has raised concerns among area
residents and city hall abut neighbourhood safety, health and safety of the
residence and restrictions on marijuana producers.

"What were they smoking when they came up with this idea?" quipped Coun.
Jerry Dobrovolny about the federal government's decision to grant a licence
without seeking city input.

According to a staff report, staff are pursuing an inspection of the
property to determine if it complies with city bylaws and to determine if
there are any fire or safety hazards within the property. The property
owner does not object to the inspection, but the occupants have requested
written notice before they will permit an inspection.

On Monday night, city council approved three recommendations related to
medical marijuana:

* To write to the local member of Parliament, the official opposition, and
the federal health minister to inform them of the city's concerns regarding
the Marijuana Medical Access Regulation.

* To have staff pursue an inspection of the local rental property to
determine if the Marijuana Factory complies with the city's bylaws and
regulations and deems that it is safe.

* To direct the city solicitor to obtain the necessary court order if the
occupants or owner of the property fail to voluntarily permit staff to
conduct an inspection.

"I was absolutely flabbergasted the federal government would take this kind
of action without any local impact at all," said Dobrovolny, noting the
city's concerns have nothing to do with the legalization of marijuana.
"This is simply about safety of neighbourhoods."

Dobrovolny said he doesn't believe it's appropriate for an operation
growing up to 300 plants to be located in a residential neighbourhood or
for an operation to grow that many plants without being inspected by the
city to ensure it meets safety requirements.

According to Dobrovolny, the federal government has said that federal
inspectors will ensure the safety of medical marijuana operations - but no
inspectors are located in Western Canada.

The Queensborough Residents' Association is demanding that city hall
prohibit all marijuana grow operations in Queensborough, whether legal or
not. Following concerns raised by several residents, the QRA passed a
motion stating that Queensborough residents do not want grow operations in
the neighbourhood because they contravene local community safety and health
standards and will attract undesirable criminal elements into their
peaceful community.

"We will do everything we can without our power legally to deal with the
issue. We will do it in a timely manner," said Mayor Helen Sparkes. "We are
taking this matter extremely seriously and doing all we can."