ON: Medicinal Marijuana Facility In Cannington Not Likely To Come Until Fall

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
Brock TWP. - Barring the call of a special meeting, a controversial application that would allow a medicinal marijuana production facility to set up shop in downtown Cannington won't be heard until council returns from summer recess.

In an interview, CAO/Clerk Thom Gettinby confirmed that the proposal to temporarily rezone the property at the northeast corner of Ann and Cameron streets is currently being reviewed by the Township's planning consultant.

A review by Durham Region "took longer than expected," Mr. Gettinby noted.

"The application is currently in the hands of our planning consultant, who will be preparing a report for members of council," he added.

While the report from the consultant could come back earlier, the matter likely won't return to the council table until September.

"Given the public interest in the application, a number of residents will have to be notified," Mr. Gettinby said.

"If there was a meeting in the summer, a lot of people could be away. I think council will be sympathetic to that."

Close to 150 people packed the auditorium of the Cannington Community Centre for a public meeting on the temporary rezoning of the property back in March.

Regional Councillor Ted Smith opened the meeting by telling those in attendance that council has to consider the proposal from a planning perspective.

"This meeting is in regards to a planning application in the Township of Brock...We have no jurisdiction over whether marijuana is decriminalized, legalized or how it is distributed," he said.

Despite that statement, some of the speakers on the night voiced their moral concerns with allowing a medicinal marijuana facility to set up shop in the village's downtown core.

"This is very upsetting to us as a family," said Maria Torres, who added that she moved to Cannington to get away from the methadone clinic in Beaverton.

Paul Herrington, the minister at Cannington Baptist Church, said that he was addicted to marijuana before finding Jesus and claimed the proposal would create a "stigma."

"Is this really what Cannington wants to be known for?" he asked.

Security at the site will includes a seven-foot fence, on- and off-site video monitoring, a seismic alarm system and windows that are "blast resistant and virtually bulletproof," in the words of Michael Harvey, president of Investigative Solutions Network Inc.

"There are multiple layers of security to ensure there is no diversion of the product...The biggest concern is some of the product spilling out into the community. That's also the biggest concern to this company," he told residents.

Despite those assuarances, others worried about security at the site and the possibility that the smell of marijuana could waft through the village.

"I don't feel comfortable with this coming to the centre of town," said Nikita Nicholson.

"I'm all for medicinal marijuana but downtown is not the place to have it," added Theresa Como.

Planning consultant Bob Clark, who provided overview of the proposal on behalf of project proponent Kevin Ireland, noted that the property that houses the production facility was formerly used as a research facility for a cereal manufacturer.

"The historic use of this property was an industrial use," he said.

"In our opinion, it's compatible with surrounding land uses. It abuts a residential area but is not in a residential area...we're planning to upgrade a prominent location in the community."

Mr. Clark also told residents that the site will not serve as a dispensary -- all of the orders will be placed online and mailed out to customers.

"There will be no public access to the site and no retail operation."

Mr. Ireland, a resident of Cannington for more than 30 years, assured those in attendance that he's "willing to work with the community to make sure there isn't a problem."

If approved, the facility would create between 40 and 50 new jobs, he noted.

"The starting rate will be $25 per hour."

That economic impact seemed to be the focus for the handful of residents that spoke in favour of the proposal.

"It's about time that our community got an opportunity at some good paying jobs," said Penny Beaudrow.

"Jobs of consequence usually require a 30-minute drive out of town," added Darrell Reimer.

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News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Decision On Medicinal Marijuana Facility In Cannington Not Likely To Come Until Fall
Author: Scott Howard
Photo Credit: Mark Chilvers
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