Map of the Week: Grow operations

TARA WALTON/TORONTO STAR

Map: 2008 marijuana grow operations

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Marijuana grow op busts in Toronto were down in 2008, at 145 compared to 256 in 2007 and 254 in 2006.

However, the pattern is similar (see the 2007 map or 2006 map for comparison), with grow operations concentrated in parts of the city where low income meets low density.

We see the northern tips of the V or check-mark shape visible on other maps (for example the homicide map or map of low household incomes)

As before, grow ops are most strongly concentrated in northern Scarborough and the Hwy. 400 corridor north of Hwy. 401, which gives 31 Division and 42 Division the city's highest rates.

Comments

[Alex]

As a marijuana smoker, I'm always disappointed to see so much tax money and valuable police time going towards stopping a harmless plant. The only reason crime is related to marijuana is because it has a great deal of demand, and organized crime recognizes an obvious supply vacuum for which it can easily make a profit. I believe I'm a good person, and a good citizen, and all of my pot comes from trusted friends who grow it themselves. For all of the millions of dollars spent on busting marijuana growers, the money could go towards funding our school systems, not to mention the possibility of legalizing and taxing marijuana, which could increase tax revenues for our government.

[Joan Semple]

One error. The grow up house at 66 Avondale Avenue is ascribed to Avondale Road in Rosedale (53 Division) when actually it should be at Yonge & Sheppard (which is in 32 Division). The folks in Rosedale probably wouldn't be too happy to see this error posted for all to see.

[Tired of the hypocrisy]

I agree with Alex - especially in this economy, this is finally the time to legalize and tax a product (plant) in demand. Phelps proved once and for all that pot use is not linked to amotivational syndrome and that one can have a lean, svelte strong body while using pot. The American gov't disproved its own propoganda by patenting cannabis citing several medical uses. (Incredible that this was not a big story.) Instead of perpetuating the auto and construction industries which contribute to ruining the environment, lets encourage industries that fill our needs. We don't need megahomes and 3 cars in every driveway. Let people spend their money on relaxing and rejuvanating.

[Toronto Realtor]

I certainly am glad to see these maps posted online. As a realtor in Toronto, I suspected a house which I was in the process of purchasing for a buyer had been a grow-house. I called the police and under privacy concerns, they will not confirm or deny. They sent me to City Hall. City Hall will not confirm or deny either, citing privacy concerns. How on earth is the public to be protected if no one will give the information. Obviously, it is available - to the Toronto Star. I'll keep this site bookmarked, and forward to my fellow realtors so we can protect the public.

[pcain]

Joan Semple: Thank you for this correction, which should now appear on the map.

Toronto Realtor: The Toronto police will release addresses of grow ops (there are no privacy rights in Ontario connected to an address, but itself) but it takes an FOI request. I file them every year on Jan. 1.

[Karina]

I agree with Alex - it is redicilous to spend so much time and effort on busting marijuana grow ups - the only thing to battle here is the fact that it is illegal and thus availalbe to minors - legalize the damn thing and most of the problems assosiated with MJ will be goooone.

[Geoff]

Incredible how much potential revenue for the city is being flushed away and going into the black market. Marijuana has never killed anyone nor has anyone ever overdosed on it. It's harm full effects are less than that of LEGAL alcohol, yet our old laws treat this as an illegal substance. If Marijuana were made legal the tax benefits from the sales alone would be a huge boost to the local economy. Most importantly gangs and guns woudl be SEVERELY reduced and police manpower could be focused on more important issues. Think of how much money is being tied up in the courts over misdemeanor marijuana charges.

[greg]

Grow ops destroy the houses they use and most growers seem to get away with it by pretending to have "rented" out the house to people who have "disappeared". Grow ops also attract more criminals to the houses & neighbourhoods they use. There is some logic in making marijuana legal, but I am not sure that would stop the illegal grow ops. I don't use the stuff myself but I don't have a big problem with other people using it except that it can cause significant health problems that the users will presumably ask our publicly funded hospitals to treat.

[Gizella Szabo]

legalize it and tax it. Its the only way to protect consumers from the dealers. 240.00 on the street when its only worth 100.00 per ounce if that. Just think of all the money the government can make and protect the consumers of this product. Get with the program. I know I would buy a couple of bags a month if it were sold to me legally by the government. I would pay 150 an ounce, wouldnt you for good quality. It can even be produced in the current tobacco industry, nothing changes but their product. With the lack of jobs and resources what does the banks governments aand elitist criminals want from the working class...you already get our blood for free, how about it lol

[Bill C.]

When the Liberal government asked the senate to do a study about the possibility of decriminalizing marijuana they came back and said it should be legalized. What happened? The U.S. threatened us with border delays despite the fact guns and cocaine flow from the U.S. to Canada daily. Oh and despite the fact their pilots are flying on speed and mistakenly dropping bombs on Canadian soldiers and of course getting a slap on the wrist for it.

It should be legalized. I know a lot of people who go to Europe and say "I'll start in Amsterdam tour the rest of Europe go back to Amsterdam and then fly back to Canada." Think of the amount of Europeans that would say "I'm going to New York city but I'm going to Toronto first." Americans would flock here too.

[Cathy]

Are you all crazy! Legalize marijuana, you need to be in my shoes, where you are lucky if you haven't ran into mental illness over this drug. Go Police Catch these people and lock em up!

[Chris]

I work for an insurance company and I was wondering what the definition of "grow op" really is. Is it based on a plant limit? or is it a combination of many factors such as number of plants, electrical bypass, etc... Does it include "jo homeowner" who is growing 10 plants in his basement? Or does it have to be a certain amount grown for sale? I receive lists of grow ops that have been busted by police and wanted to know exactly what I am dealing with if possible.

[hearby da lovebug]

If we just stop listening to the united stats of asmerica i think canada would be the best country in the world to live in or we can call it Canmerica hahahaha
just legalize it allready
Any cop that arrests anyone for pot is just tryin to get his quota,lossers arrest real criminals

[Frank D.]

Everyone should watch a documentary called 'The Union' for a good history lesson on Pot.
The prohibition of Pot in Canada and the USA is a waste of money, resources and ruined lives.

[Tim Watters]

I find this busting of pot houses a complete waste of time! The police will always ramp up the "street value" to scare people into thinking what a big operation and look what we did. Hard drugs need policing. Idiots that rent other peoples homes and cause damage need to pay through the nose in civil court. Tying up the criminal courts system that has enough waste and other problems with pot is not the answer. Get this through your head people "Coming down hard on pot will cause the price to sky-rocket" then you will see real violence occur like there is in hard drugs. Get use to higher taxes, less freedom and an American style prison system!

[General Dean Phillps CDN Army ret]

Bush - Harper "Do you see a difference - I don't see a difference".

It's good to know the PM has torn a page from the Bush "War on everything" play book. If that move doesn't tell you the man (Harper) can't think for himself I don't know what will. To take failed American policy and make it our own is the height of stupidity. As Canadian's we should be as mad as hell!

[just askin']

The war on drugs, which is really a war on us (drugs aren't put in cages) has been the excuse for the government ransacking of personal liberty around the world.

Is it just a coincidence that the ruling elite of every plot of land have nearly identical bans on pleasurable substances? That they have militarized the police, are busting into homes, ruffling through your personal belonging?

Do governments keep us safe, or do they rule us, creating criminals and corpses of our children, as they steal trillions for their friends and themselves?

The next evolution of humanity will come only when these bloated leaches are removed.