Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2014
Source: Peninsula News Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/eeditions/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1373
Author: Steven Heywood

DISTRICT CHANGES MIND ON POT - AGAIN

Proposed McTavish Road medical marijuana project squeaks in

North Saanich will prohibit the production of medical marijuana for at
least six months.

Councillors, in a 5-2 vote Monday night, reinstated the ban they had
initially agreed to late last year, but had overturned in December to
consider the issue further and get feedback from various local citizen
commissions. Since then, residents have spoken loud and clear that
they are not supportive of such production facilities in North Saanich
and made that voice clear on Monday night. Of the 19 speakers during
council's public participation period, a majority called for the ban,
citing potential for crime, odour and pollution. Bob Williamson told
council it wasn't a matter of marijuana's medical benefits, but one of
industrial production on agricultural land. Other speakers said much
the same thing.

The proponent of a medical marijuana production facility proposed for
McTavish Road, Roberto Brescaiani, also addressed council. He said
while some of the people's concerns are valid, he urged the community
to learn more about their proposal, its technology and potential for
local employment.

Brescaiani's application, under the company name Cannan Growers Inc.
came in to the District prior to council's vote, says Mayor Alice
Finall. That means the municipality will have to allow the application
process to proceed and in all likelihood, permit a production facility.

"It's disappointing," Finall said. "Staff made every effort to get
information to council (last year)."

She said while the vote and prohibition bylaws will come too late for
the Cannan proposal, North Saanich will have six months to see how it
develops and gain insight from operations in other municipalities.
Finall has been opposed to medical marijuana production facilities in
North Saanich from the start and said she found all the mind-changing
on the issue troubling.

Councillor Ted Daly had led the vote to overturn the initial
prohibition back in December. On Monday, he maintained that position.

"I'm not saying I support licenced medical marijuana," he said, adding
he wanted to dismiss the typical North Saanich response to such
things, which he said is "come in. No! What was the question?"

Daly has said he didn't want to reject outright what the federal
government has deemed a legal agricultural activity.

Coun. Conny McBride added she doesn't see the difference between the
production of carrots, corn and lettuce - all of which is grown,
processed and packaged - and the agricultural component of marijuana.

Coun. Elsie McMurphy noted people's strong reaction to medical
marijuana production, saying the six-month prohibition will allow for
caution.

Council as a whole stated the issue for them was not one of the
validity of medical marijuana, but of how and where it's produced.
Finall said she doesn't think this was a 'not in my backyard' stance,
but an issue over agricultural land use and something that's more
appropriately an industrial operation.

North Saanich staff will now draw up bylaws on the proposed
prohibition, meaning there could be additional public debate on the
issue in the community.

Finall added council will, in all likelihood, hear more from the
proponent of the medical marijuana production facility on McTavish
Road in the future.

The property, she said, was once a greenhouse for mushroom growers.
It's surrounded by a metal fence, has an enclosed building and
ditching around the site. Already, Finall said, it seems set up for
the security requirements of a medical marijuana facility.
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MAP posted-by: Matt