MP calls stench from Markham medical grow-up 'appalling'

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 5, 2015
By Bernie O’Neill

A controversial medical marijuana grow-op in Markham is becoming a political football as the local MP has weighed in.

MP Paul Calandra posted a video on youtube saying he recently visited the Greensborough/Cornell area and was appalled by the smell of marijuana being vented into the air.

Recently a TV news reporter confronted the owner of the property who claimed he had a licence to grow medical marijuana and that the more than 140 plants he was growing were for his personal medical use after he broke his leg.

The house has triple vents on the roof, two hydro meters and security cameras. The man, who said he did not speak English and had his son translate, does not live in the house but said if he moved his marijuana growing operation to another location, he would lose his licence.

The house is in a newer residential area, directly across the street from an elementary school.

“Since 2013 we have been trying to change old and ineffective rules that allow these dangerous operations to continue with no regard for the community,” the Conservative MP from Oak Ridges-Markham said.

“Our government’s action on this file would have shut down all residential grow-ops almost one year ago in March 2014.

“Unfortunately, a court has prevented our changes from fully coming into effect for an undetermined amount of time.

“Let me be clear - I do not and will not support residential grow-ops such as the one in this report. They are dangerous for our communities and should be closed down. I am doing everything in my power to make this happen for Markham residents.”

Calandra said he has personally visited the neighbourhood and residents are correct in their reports that the smell coming from the house is overwhelming.

“No one should have to live with this in their community,” he said.

There will be a federal election this fall and Justin Trudeau and his Liberal colleagues have made it very clear they intend to legalize marijuana use, Calandra said.

The MP said the Liberals opposed the tougher rules the Conservatives enacted on medical marijuana and would make it even easier to access.

“As long as I am your Member of Parliament I will work day in and day out to shut down these abhorrent and offensive residential marijuana operations.”

He encouraged people who live in the community affected or who have concerns to contact his office at 905-640 1125.