Vancouver – Len Garis, the fire chief in Surrey, B.C., has this to say about grow-op fires and hazards, “If [only]we can separate the product [marijuana]and the situation.” We can (Seeing Pot Through Benign Soft Lens Ignores Hard Realities Of Grow Ops – Feb. 7). The dangers of grow ops only exist because marijuana is illegal, which means plants have to be grown clandestinely with no safety or health regulations. Marijuana can be separated from hazardous grow-op situations simply by ending marijuana prohibition.

Consider alcohol prohibition: Homemade basement booze distilleries were popping up everywhere to supply demand, but they caused fires and explosions, attracted gang violence and created other problems akin to what we’re seeing under marijuana prohibition. Legalizing and regulating the safe production of marijuana in greenhouses or outdoors, like most flowers and produce, would eliminate grow ops from homes and neighbourhoods.

– Article from the Globe & Mail on February 9, 2009.