MEDICAL POT POSING FIRE RISK: SURREY CHIEF

Federally authorized marijuana grow operations are posing a
substantial increase of fire risk, according to Surrey's fire chief.

Over the past three years, Surrey's new Electrical Fire Safety
Initiative has shut down power to hundreds of grow operations in this city.

Among the grow operations found, there were eight that were federally
sanctioned for medical purposes.

Four had to be shut down immediately due to increased risk of fire.
The other four had to undergo significant electrical upgrades to keep
operating.

"According to Health Canada, individuals licensed under the Medical
Marijuana Access Regulations (MMAR) are required to observe all other
laws, including bylaws such as zoning, fire, and safety regulations,"
Fire Chief Len Garis wrote in a report to council Monday. "However,
Health Canada has advised 'it is not the mandate of Health Canada to
verify the safety standard of each production site.'

Further, Surrey staff has learned that there is no procedure in place
to alert local governments about the approval of a MMAR license in
any particular local government jurisdiction."

A recent study showed homes with marijuana grow operations are 24
times more likely to burn than a home without one.

"The study also found that property damage from a fire in a residence
containing a grow operation was nearly double the value of damage
accruing from a fire in a residence without a grow op," Garis wrote to council.

As such, Garis said these federally sanctioned operations pose a
great risk to the grower and the surrounding community.

On Monday, council endorsed Garis' plan to request Health Canada take
immediate action to require any applicant for medical marijuana to
clear local bylaws and all electrical, fire, health, building and
safety regulations prior to issuing the permit.

Garis said Tuesday the fire department is only trying to ensure the
operations are conducted in as safe a manner as possible.

"What we're doing is trying to save lives," Garis said.

A resolution will be going to the Union of B.C. Municipalities and
the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for adoption. From there,
pressure would be put on the federal government to adopt the changes.

Those who qualify for a medical marijuana licence are allowed to grow
their own pot plants indoors or outdoors, or they can grow marijuana
for other medical users. The amount that can be grown depends on the
daily dosage of marijuana prescribed by a medical doctor.

Garis said the medical grows he finds range in size from 60 to 200
plants. The average illegal grow operation is about 250 plants.