PETITION DEMANDS STIFFER SENTENCES FOR POT GROWERS

CAMBRIDGE -- Growing up next to a marijuana operation isn't what Kathy
Waterson had in mind when she moved to Cambridge with her three young
children. But that's what she got.

"Every time we watch the news all we see is them getting house arrest," the
Essex Point Drive resident said. "The more I heard about it, the more angry
I got."

So Waterson has taken matters into her own hands. She has drafted a
petition asking the government to hand out stiffer penalties for those
caught growing pot in their homes.

In the past few months, Waterson has seen several pot busts in her
neighbourhood, along Saginaw Parkway, Chamberlin Drive and Anglerock Drive.
She lives in the east Galt area.

Last week, police raided a home at 32 Tallowtree Pl., seizing 302 marijuana
plants. It was the 14th bust this year in the region. Last year, there were
68 such raids.

"If we don't do something as parents then we have no right to complain,"
said Waterson.She also said a safety concern exists because home-grow
operators bypass electricity, creating a fire hazard.

Two home-grow residences, one near a Cambridge elementary school and the
other in Kitchener, have burned down. About 200 Cambridge residents have
signed her petition. When completed, she plans to present it to the
Canadian Judicial Council, a federal body that handles complaints about judges.

"Whatever we need to do to help, we'll do," she said. "We don't want to be
like B.C. We don't want pot to be our biggest export."

Waterson said she would like to see those convicted of running home-grow
operations get jail time.

In January, Waterloo regional council passed a resolution calling for a
five-year jail sentence for anyone convicted of running large indoor pot
labs. The resolution was also passed by the councils of Kitchener, Waterloo
and Cambridge.

Copies of the motion were sent to all local judges, MPs and MPPs and the
solicitors-general of Ontario and Canada. The resolution caused some
concern over whether local politicians were attempting to influence judges.

Staff Sgt. Brent Thomlison of Waterloo regional police said yesterday he
supports the efforts of Waterson.

"It's encouraging to see someone taking this action on their own," he said.
"It's encouraging when members of the community get involved in what is
clearly a safety issue."

Kim Fowler, president of the Fiddlesticks Neighbourhood Association in
Cambridge, said her organization also backs Waterson's petition.

"We don't want things like this happening in our neighbourhood," she said.
"It is not conducive to the health and welfare of our children."