Pinch
Well-Known Member
HALIFAX, NS — The province needs to consider its own legislation to fight marijuana grow-operations, Nova Scotia's justice minister says.
Michael Baker admits he doesn't know what is the best way to fight grow-ops, so he is inviting experts on the issue to a symposium on dealing with pot-growing operations in the coming months.
"We are interested in being proactive in fighting marijuana grow-ops. We want to be on the leading edge of doing everything we can within the existing criminal law to fight those kind of operations," he said.
Nova Scotia should look to Manitoba for how to bring in legislative reform to combat grow-ops, Baker said. That province is focused on fortified buildings that can be used as crack houses or for cultivating pot.
But he doesn't know exactly how the legislation would be worded. There has to be a balance between protecting individual rights and the need to protect society, Baker said.
Police say people in small towns need protection from illegal drug operations, just as those in big cities do.
"I can ensure you that we are not immune from the effects of organized criminal activity. Marijuana grow-ops are popping up in seemingly quiet family neighbourhoods," said Amherst police Chief Charles Rushton.
Baker has yet to name a date or place for the symposium.
Source: CBC News
Copyright: Copyright © CBC 2005
Contact: CBC Nova Scotia, Halifax
Website: www.novascotia.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ns-grow-ops20050415
Michael Baker admits he doesn't know what is the best way to fight grow-ops, so he is inviting experts on the issue to a symposium on dealing with pot-growing operations in the coming months.
"We are interested in being proactive in fighting marijuana grow-ops. We want to be on the leading edge of doing everything we can within the existing criminal law to fight those kind of operations," he said.
Nova Scotia should look to Manitoba for how to bring in legislative reform to combat grow-ops, Baker said. That province is focused on fortified buildings that can be used as crack houses or for cultivating pot.
But he doesn't know exactly how the legislation would be worded. There has to be a balance between protecting individual rights and the need to protect society, Baker said.
Police say people in small towns need protection from illegal drug operations, just as those in big cities do.
"I can ensure you that we are not immune from the effects of organized criminal activity. Marijuana grow-ops are popping up in seemingly quiet family neighbourhoods," said Amherst police Chief Charles Rushton.
Baker has yet to name a date or place for the symposium.
Source: CBC News
Copyright: Copyright © CBC 2005
Contact: CBC Nova Scotia, Halifax
Website: www.novascotia.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ns-grow-ops20050415
