Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jan 2014
Source: Mountain View Gazette  (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Mountain View Publishing
Contact:  http://www.mountainviewgazette.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4234
Author: Dan Singleton

MEDICAL MARIJUANA MEETING PLANNED FOR FEB. 4

Cremona-area residents will be hosting a second public meeting
regarding a medical marijuana cultivation facility proposed for the
district.

Planned for the Cremona community centre at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, the
meeting will hopefully see some answers to many outstanding questions
about the facility and its impact on the wider community, says
organizer and area resident Mary Thompson.

Despite an information meeting held at the centre on Jan. 10, a
gathering hosted by Wild Rose Conservative MP Blake Richards,
questions and concerns remain, she said.

In particular, area residents still have many questions regarding
security of the facility, water use, fire protection and land prices.

The exact location of the facility is not being released due to
security concerns.

Dale Lesack, a director with Releaf Inc., the company building the
facility, says it will produce medical marijuana for cancer patients
and others under the Medical Marihuana Access Program (MMAP), which
comes into effect in March.

Mountain View County has already granted a permit for the construction
of a greenhouse at the site. Work is already underway at the site,
says MVC Division 2 councillor and deputy reeve Patricia McKean.

Lesack said an application for a licence for the facility has been
made with Health Canada. If that licence is granted, the facility
would meet all safety and security rules set out under MMAP, he said.

As a requirement of the application for the grow operation through
Health Canada, Releaf Inc. has already sent a notice of intent to
Mountain View County, as well as to local RCMP and fire department
officials.

Thompson calls the proposed facility "a travesty" and said the "whole
idea of this project in a rural area is wrong."

During the Jan. 10 meeting, MP Richards said he has no authority to
stop the facility.

Deputy Reeve McKean said the county has sought legal advice on the
issue and been told that the county cannot prohibit the facility.

Organizers of the Feb. 4 public meeting will be inviting
representatives from Releaf, Mountain View County, Alberta Sustainable
Resource Development, the RCMP, Health Canada, MP Blake Richards and
others, said Thompson.

Richards says if he is asked to attend the Feb. 4 meeting he will see
if that can be arranged.

"It's important to keep the communication lines open," said Richards. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D