Bill would let utilities cut off power to those suspected of growing pot
By: Richard Mackie, Globe and Mail, 10-08-04

The Ontario government plans to give electricity utilities the authority to cut off the power going to suspected marijuana growing operations as a way to battle the burgeoning underground industry, Public Security Minister Monte Kwinter said yesterday.

Residents of the suspected site of the grow-op then would have to invite officials from the utility into the building before power was restored. This would enable the officials to confirm to police that an illegal activity was taking place, Mr. Kwinter told reporters at Queen's Park.

"Electricity distributors may cut off power to a suspected grow house without notification [under the proposed legislation]," he said.

"We're doing this because, every year, $80-million of electricity is being stolen, plus, it presents a hazard because they are bypassing the meters," Mr. Kwinter said.

The growing of marijuana in houses, condominium units and apartments has become a serious problem, according to officials in the Public Security Ministry.

Chemicals used to enhance the strength of the marijuana can be dangerous and the operations draw large amounts of power to operate the lighting, heating and hydroponic systems.

Typically, the operators obtain the electricity by illicitly linking up to a power line.

"Not only are they using the power, they are bypassing the meter. And they do that quite often with . . .connections that put the premises at risk. So the distributor, if they suspect that that is happening, [will have] the ability to cut off the power without notice. . . . They cannot do that now," Mr. Kwinter said.

He stressed that utilities will not be able to act capriciously.

"They will have to do due diligence and they've got to be able to justify why they have done it. . . . They're going to have to have very strong evidence that this place is being used as a grow house," he said.

In recent months, several homes in the Greater Toronto Area have been destroyed by fires and explosions caused by the operations. After a grow-op moves out of a residence, it can leave behind moulds that attack wooden foundations and walls, Mr. Kwinter said.

The legislation to be introduced this fall will allow electricity utilities to cut off power to a suspected operation because of potential risks to safety that could endanger residents of adjoining condos or apartments or nearby houses.

Electricity would be cut off only if there was strong evidence of an illicit operation, Mr. Kwinter stressed.

And before restoring the power, the utility could send in inspectors to ensure there was no safety risk, he said.

Any indication of an illicit operation could be passed on to police for further action.