Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
A Brampton councillor wants the city to clamp down on licensed marijuana grow operations in residential neighbourhoods.
"Even though there are legal marijuana grow operations happening in residential communities, the municipality has no legislative authority to inspect them for safety and compliance," said Regional Coun. Gael Miles.
Miles won support on a motion at the Nov. 16 Community Services meeting directing staff to research what legislative powers the municipality can enact to counteract what she described "as a growing concern locally."
Councillors heard that since 2014, Health Canada has issued some 35,000 licences for medical marijuana grow operations. Miles said she was stunned to learn that some of those permits were approved for commercial production in Brampton neighbourhoods.
"In the one case that I am citing there were children actually living in the home where grow operations were happening," said Miles, noting that she has met with concerned residents, police, public health and bylaw enforcement officials on the issue.
Miles wants council to consider adopting a bylaw that would grant the municipality greater powers on enforcement.
"I'm not talking about legal marijuana grow operations just for personal use. I am talking about legal grow operations in residential communities where the plant is actually harvested and sold."
Regional Coun. John Sprovieri said council "should send a message" that Brampton "does not agree or think it is appropriate for commercial grow ops in residential areas."
Miles heads up a committee made up of municipal leaders and other stakeholders.
She asked councillors to allow the committee to continue its work and use city resources to get a handle "on the extent of the problem." Currently, the city is restricted in tracking the number of operations set up locally.
Last year, Mississauga moved to become the first city in Canada to licence and regulate the production of medical marijuana.
Mississauga's bylaw seeks to establish zoning for medical marijuana production in manufacturing and industrial zones, and guarantees that production conforms to building, fire and safety codes.
It gives inspectors the authority to enter facilities to make sure that all regulations are being followed.
Miles argued that a similar bylaw in Brampton would have to extend to residential neighborhood.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Looks To Get Handle On Budding Residential Marijuana Operations
Author: Peter Criscione
Photo Credit: Toronto Star
Website: Brampton Guardian
"Even though there are legal marijuana grow operations happening in residential communities, the municipality has no legislative authority to inspect them for safety and compliance," said Regional Coun. Gael Miles.
Miles won support on a motion at the Nov. 16 Community Services meeting directing staff to research what legislative powers the municipality can enact to counteract what she described "as a growing concern locally."
Councillors heard that since 2014, Health Canada has issued some 35,000 licences for medical marijuana grow operations. Miles said she was stunned to learn that some of those permits were approved for commercial production in Brampton neighbourhoods.
"In the one case that I am citing there were children actually living in the home where grow operations were happening," said Miles, noting that she has met with concerned residents, police, public health and bylaw enforcement officials on the issue.
Miles wants council to consider adopting a bylaw that would grant the municipality greater powers on enforcement.
"I'm not talking about legal marijuana grow operations just for personal use. I am talking about legal grow operations in residential communities where the plant is actually harvested and sold."
Regional Coun. John Sprovieri said council "should send a message" that Brampton "does not agree or think it is appropriate for commercial grow ops in residential areas."
Miles heads up a committee made up of municipal leaders and other stakeholders.
She asked councillors to allow the committee to continue its work and use city resources to get a handle "on the extent of the problem." Currently, the city is restricted in tracking the number of operations set up locally.
Last year, Mississauga moved to become the first city in Canada to licence and regulate the production of medical marijuana.
Mississauga's bylaw seeks to establish zoning for medical marijuana production in manufacturing and industrial zones, and guarantees that production conforms to building, fire and safety codes.
It gives inspectors the authority to enter facilities to make sure that all regulations are being followed.
Miles argued that a similar bylaw in Brampton would have to extend to residential neighborhood.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Looks To Get Handle On Budding Residential Marijuana Operations
Author: Peter Criscione
Photo Credit: Toronto Star
Website: Brampton Guardian
