Pubdate: Fri, 17 Jan 2014
Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Black Press
Contact:  http://drugsense.org/url/WcGUPNub
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704
Author: Matthew Hoekstra

CITY BANS MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROW-OPS

Potential Operators Can Still Apply For Health Canada Licence, But
Approval Unlikely

Richmond council has decided to butt out medical marijuana grow-ops in
Richmond ahead of a major shift in Health Canada's program.

The federal agency is overhauling its regulations allowing Canadians
access to the drug for medical purposes. The new program will cease to
allow production of medical pot in homes previously licensed by Health
Canada. Instead, approved users will buy it from licensed commercial
producers, which deliver via courier.

But in a recent unanimous vote, civic politicians voted to ban such
producers in Richmond.

"Our take is Health Canada licenses them, but they're requiring
anybody who gets a licence to meet local zoning requirements," said
Terry Crowe, the city's policy planning manager. "We have control over
that, so if we said no, it would mean no."

Four potential operators have applied for licences to grow medical pot
in Richmond, according to Crowe. As of Thursday, Health Canada listed
four approved growers on its website-none being local.

Coun. Bill McNulty said there's always a concern about marijuana
growing operations because the drug isn't legal-except under Health
Canada rules-and allowing them could lead to a "proliferation," as no
limits on producers have been set.

McNulty also said the federal agency doesn't communicate with
cities.

"That's a flaw of the federal government, it's not just them. They do
things...and the city has to pick up the pieces."

In 2001 the federal government introduced its medical marijuana
program. It ends March 31, when all licences to possess and grow the
drug expire, and licensed commercial producers become the legal
distributors.

New regulations are aimed at cutting abuse and improving safety,
according to a Health Canada letter to users that laid out reasons for
the change.

"The high value of marijuana on the illegal market increases the risks
of violent home invasion and diversion to the black market. In
addition, these production operations present fire and toxic mould
hazards. These risks are not only felt by the individuals licensed to
grow, but potentially also by their neighbours and community members,"
the letter says.

As of last fall, Health Canada had received 220 applications across
Canada for production facilities, according to city staff.

Richmond council's decision, made Dec. 16, 2013 comes as other cities
also take positions. According to city staff, Chilliwack is only
permitting production facilities in a single special zone, while
Surrey is allowing one facility in a special zone on city-owned property.

City staff noted just 500 people had Health Canada's authorization to
possess the drug when the program began in 2001. By 2012, 21,986
people had clearance for the drug. This year, the number of approved
users is expected to climb to 40,000.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D