Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jan 2014
Source: Nanton News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.nantonnews.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.nantonnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3200
Author: Rob Vogt

MD TO LOBBY FOR GREATER CONTROL OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTION FACILITIES

The Municipal District (MD) of Willow Creek will request the Alberta 
Association of Municipal Districts and Counties AAMDC) lobby the 
federal government to allow municipalities to require zoning 
approvals and development permits for the placement of medical 
marijuana production facilities.

At its Dec. 18 meeting, MD council decided to sponsor a resolution to 
be submitted to the Foothills-Little Bow Municipal Association at its 
Jan. 17 meeting in Lethbridge.

The resolution reads:

"Whereas Health Canada has the sole responsibility and power to 
approve medical marijuana production facilities through its licensing 
branch and;

"Whereas Health Canada has the sole responsibility for the inspection 
process that governs the operations, placement and reporting 
requirements for medical marijuana production facilities and;

"Whereas there are concerns understood that Health Canada's 
inspection services and follow up for these facilities may be inadequate and;

"Whereas there may be significant gaps in the administration, 
management and policing of these facilities leading to an increase in 
criminal activity surrounding these facilities, an increase in 
improper use and improper sale of products from these facilities and 
a growing public concern regarding the placement, regulating and 
inspection of these facilities;

"Therefore be it resolved the AAMDC through the Federation of 
Canadian Municipalities, lobby the federal government to provide 
legislation for municipalities to be able to control placement of 
medical marijuana production facilities through zoning bylaws and to 
be able to control development through the issuing of municipal 
development permits complete with conditions that can be enforced at 
the municipal level."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom