Council Seeks Feedback On Medical Marijuana Zoning

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Federal Legislation Takes Growing Out of People's Homes

The public gets its chance to weigh in on locating medical marijuana grow operations ( MMGOs ) in industrial parts of town.

City council voted unanimously Tuesday to put a proposed medical marijuana grow op zoning bylaw to a public hearing this fall after Labour Day.

Health Canada's legislation takes the growing and production of medical marijuana out of people's homes and into more commercial set-ups.

The City is following suit by amending its zoning regulations to map out rules for medical marijuana grow ops in industrial areas only.

Those rules call for submitted plans for air, sewer and other discharges, ventilation and security measures. The proposed bylaw also bars MMGOs from 150 metres or closer to residences, day cares, playgrounds, community centres, schools, parks or other places that would cater to people under age 18.

Coun. Tina Lange wanted the grow ops to be allowed in agricultural areas as well, but her amendment to that effect was defeated.

Coun. Ken Christian said it shouldn't be up to the City to determine if grow ops can be in residential areas. But it's now having to deal with zoning for cultivating plants deemed illegal by the law.

While marijuana is a plant, it's illegal and being grown for medical purposes only. It should be in a highly controlled environment, he said.

Coun. Nelly Dever said people with medical marijuana licences should get in touch with council members about any concerns or points they might want to raise.

City corporate officer Cindy Kennedy said they can have their names and addresses redacted before their letters were put into the information package for the public hearing.

Coun. Donovan Cavers asked how the owners involved in an industrial MMGO would be able to keep their names from going public if they are required to get a business licence as is in proposed zoning.

City development and engineering services director Marvin Kwiatkowski said they wouldn't. All business owners have their names registered with their licence and that information is public.

Coun. Pat Wallace said if people have concerns about the issue, they can also contact their MP, Cathy McLeod. After all, it's federal legislation that's driving the proposed City bylaw.

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News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: mapinc.org
Author: Michele Young
Contact: Contact Us | DrugSense
Website: MapInc
 
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