The Rural Voice, 1988-07, Page 26RCMP REQUESTS HELP FROM
FARM COMMUNITY TO CURB
MARIHUANA CULTIVATION
The following article, submitted
by Cst. Cam Croal of the Owen Sound
detachment of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, addresses the issue
of domestically grown cannabis mari-
huana in Grey and Bruce counties.
There seems little doubt that mari-
huana cultivation in Canada is a multi-
million dollar a year industry. Tradi-
tionally, this marihuana cultivation
has primarily been a British Columbia
problem, as the mild climate and
rugged terrain are ideal for outdoor
cultivation.
But recently Ontario, with its fine
agricultural conditions, has also been
producing a significant amount of
high-quality marihuana. One area that
is increasing in popularity with com-
mercial marihuana cultivators is that
of Grey and Bruce counties.
This has become evident in recent
years as several significant seizures
have been made by local law-enforce-
ment agencies:
1. In August of 1986 in Howick
Township, 15 acres (corn/marihuana)
with an estimated street value of $2
million.
2. In August of 1986 in the
Lucknow area, 300 plants with an
estimated street value of $90,000.
3. In September of 1987 in
Bentinck Township, 1.2 hectares with
an estimated street value of $300,000.
Although a number of substantial
seizures have been made, intelligence
has indicated that many other crops go
undetected by law-enforcement per-
sonnel. This is evident in the increase
in cannabis marihuana being sold in
Grey and Bruce counties following the
fall harvest of the drug.
In an effort to diminish the culti-
vation and subsequent trafficking of
marihuana in the Grey and Bruce area,
the Owen Sound detachment of the
RCMP has embarked on a "public
awareness program" to boost the de-
tection and eradication of marihuana.
With respect to this program, it is
felt that the agricultural community in
the area can provide vital assistance.
Following is an overview of mari-
huana cultivation and a guide to speci-
fic things that should be watched for:
• the growing season for the
marihuana plant is June to September,
with harvest during the first week of
September,
• in this time, the plant generally
attains a height of four to six feet,
• at maturity, the plant has a stock
24 THE RURAL VOICE
similar to that of corn and always
bears an odd -numbered leaf config-
uration (five, seven, or nine leaves),
• on some species of the plant, a
distinctive bud will be noted at the end
of the stems,
• at the height of summer, the plant
can be distinguished because it is a
"brighter green" than the surrounding
foliage,
• the plant requires three to four
gallons of water every two days and
produces best on sloped land with a
southern exposure and maximum
sunlight,
• the serious cultivator will spend a
considerable amount of time pruning
and grooming the crop in addition to
fertilizing,
• other crop maintenance may
include slug bait and chicken wire to
ward off insects, rodents, and deer,
• the plants may be planted in
rows, or randomly planted to avoid
detection,
• after the crop is harvested, a
period of one to two weeks is needed
to ensure proper drying of the plant
prior to sale,
• the plant is usually hung inverted
in a dry area such as an old barn, shed,
attic, or basement.
At this time, a specific request if
being made to the farming community
of the Grey and Bruce county area for
assistance in the detection of locally
cultivated and harvested cannabis
marihuana.
Those able to provide any
information or who suspect illegal
activity are asked to contact the Owen
Sound detachment of the RCMP at the
following numbers:
— 519-376-4358 during office
hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.); collect calls
accepted at 552-1487 after hours (toll-
free pager).
When making a report of any
known or suspected sighting, the
following information is of great
assistance in the subsequent
investigation:
• lot and concession numbers,
whenever possible,
• description of person(s) and/or
vehicles seen in the area (licence
number, colour, etc.).
The caller is not required to
identify himself or herself, and all
information is strictly confidential.0