Pubdate: Fri, 22 Mar 2013
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Doug Schmidt
Page: Front Page

WILL A LEGAL GROW OP SPROUT IN WINDSOR?

Rules to Change for Medicinal Pot

A local businessman hopes Windsor can jump in on the ground floor of 
a Canadian industry so new it hasn't even started yet, but one which 
has already caught the attention of police and other authorities.

City council this week received notification that a private 
application is being made to Health Canada for establishment of a 
commercial production and distribution facility for medical 
marijuana, with a location identified in the Windsor Industrial Park 
north of the airport lands.

Because the proposal is at a very preliminary stage, and due in part 
to the nature of the controlled drug involved, Norm Marcoux was 
reluctant to divulge too many details. His letter sent to city CAO 
Helga Reidel, and copied to Windsor's police and fire chiefs, is 
marked "private and confidential," but administration included it in 
this week's regular council communications package.

"I'm just looking at this like a business person - it's a very unique 
opportunity," Marcoux told The Star.

Health Canada currently issues marijuana growing and harvesting 
licences to thousands of individuals approved by their physicians to 
use the drug for pain and other medical treatment. But the federal 
agency has announced that by next March it plans to have a new 
licensing program in place that will take the marijuana growing and 
harvesting privileges away from the individual users and consolidate 
them into a system of commercial production.

Distribution would be similar to other controlled drugs, with users, 
rather than do-it-yourself, obtaining a doctor's prescription and 
then purchasing the medical marijuana from a commercial supplier.

"There have been instances where this program has been open to 
abuse," Health Canada spokesman Stephane Shank said of the current 
program. "We're now setting up rules and regulations ... for the 
creation of a new industry," he added.

The final regulatory details for the new system to replace one set up 
more than a decade ago are still being developed, but Shank said 
Health Canada has begun accepting applications from interested 
potential commercial producers. One of the first requirements for 
applicants under the new Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations 
(MMPR) is giving advance notification to local municipal, police and 
fire authorities.

In his notification to the city, Marcoux, who identifies himself as 
applicant and "senior person in charge," writes that a licence will 
be sought for the following activities: to "possess, produce, 
provide, ship, deliver, transport and destroy marijuana."

Marcoux, who has an MBA from the University of Windsor, said he has 
spent years putting together business plans and currently operates a 
machine shop that employs 30. He said he was "very skeptical" when 
first approached privately to look into this new venture but that he 
soon realized it was "an excellent idea that could bring lots of jobs."

Marijuana, the product at the centre of any such new enterprise, 
however, is listed under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances 
Act. Those interested in getting involved must pass muster with 
criminal background and other checks, and Health Canada's Shank said 
a high level of security will be expected, as well as the need for 
detailed records of all transactions.

"As much as we'd welcome a new industry, we would want to make sure 
it doesn't create new problems," said Ward 3 Coun. Fulvio Valentinis. 
He wants to avoid a repeat of a few years ago when neighbourhoods and 
politicians were surprised by the sudden proliferation of local 
methadone treatment clinics that triggered an angry backlash from residents.

"There's going to have to be some sensitivity to location," said Valentinis.

"This has just been brought forward to our attention - we'll be 
looking into it," said Don Wilson with the city's planning 
department. The methadone clinics, he added, "were very 
controversial," with the city reacting, in hindsight, with new 
regulations, including restrictions on where future clinics can set up.

"Definitely, we'd want to work with (city) officials to ensure the 
safety of the community is the No. 1 priority," said Sgt. Matthew 
D'Asti, spokesman for the Windsor Police Services. "If it's approved 
for our community, we'd treat it as any other business."

Health Canada's Shank said proponents would have to satisfy municipal 
requirements. Those would include compliance with any necessary 
zoning regulations, bylaws and municipal permits or licences.

Ottawa is among the cities already studying whether the new 
commercial marijuana grow facilities can fit into existing bylaws or 
whether new rules need to be enacted. Fortification and other 
additional security measures are being looked at. Regulating signage, 
for example prohibiting the depiction of marijuana leaves, and 
dealing with such issues as mould and fungus are among the issues 
being tackled by that city's municipal planners and building officials.

Ottawa's medical marijuana regulation changes are the result of 
lobbying by police and fire authorities, as well as municipal 
leaders, stemming from complaints of personal use blossoming into 
full-blown illegal grow ops. The new rules are intended to tighten 
Health Canada's ability to oversee and monitor.

As of the end of December, 28,115 Canadians were authorized to 
possess marijuana for medicinal purposes, while 18,063 persons held 
personal use production licences.

In Windsor, 154 individuals have authorizations to possess marijuana, 
while there are 99 personal-use production licences and 12 
designated-person production licences (given to non-users on behalf of users).

"This should be more manageable," city deputy police chief Vince 
Power said of the new scheme that takes the growing out of the hands 
of the individual users. Local police said they're still awaiting 
word on the final licensing requirements, an effort that Shank said 
is still underway.

Last year, D'Asti said Windsor police raided 15 illegal marijuana 
grow ops across the city, which is about the average number for the 
past five years.

One of the 2012 busts is believed to be connected to a medical marijuana user.

"We're not opposed to this ... there's concerns whenever you're 
dealing with the cultivation of cannabis marijuana," said D'Asti.

Marcoux said he's "only expressing an interest" at this stage.

"A good business person is always listening to new ideas," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom