Pubdate: Sat, 08 Feb 2014
Source: Norfolk News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Metroland
Contact:  http://www.norfolknews.ca/norfolkcounty/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5492
Author: Katie Starr

COUNCILLORS CONSIDER WHERE TO PUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITY

Norfolk County council is debating where the most appropriate 
location for growing medical marijuana might be just a few months 
before new regulations for growing the drug for medicinal purposes 
take effect in Canada.

A system of centralized production in each province will be 
introduced April 1 under the new federal Marijuana for Medical 
Purposes Regulation Act.

Individuals approved by their doctor will have access to medical 
marijuana from licensed producers. These producers will have to meet 
strict security and quality standards set by Health Canada. They are 
also required to notify local governments and emergency services and 
comply with all municipal bylaws.

County staff has already received "a number of inquiries" from 
individuals and businesses interested in applying to Health Canada 
for medical marijuana production licenses, said senior planner Tricia 
Givens in a report prepared for council.

At issue for councillors is the question of where such a production 
facility should be located.

Zoning options include agricultural, service commercial, rural 
commercial and hamlet commercial areas as long as potential 
facilities are kept apart from residential neighbourhoods.

A fifth choice, not allowed under current zoning bylaws but preferred 
by Norfolk County OPP, would be to allow marijuana production plants 
to operate in an industrial zone. Last week, councillors voted to add 
industrial zones to the list of potentially approved areas.

"In my discussions with Health Canada they were very clear they were 
going to respect the powers of local councils in determining what 
areas these facilities were allowed in," said county manager Keith Robicheau.

The topic of identifying specific zones of production for medical 
marijuana will come up for discussion once more at town hall during a 
public meeting on zoning bylaws set for March 11 at 4 p.m.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom