Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Author: Michele Young

COUNCIL SEEKS FEEDBACK ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA ZONING

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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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom