Pubdate: Thu, 10 Apr 2014
Source: Uxbridge Times Journal, The (CN ON)
Page: Front Page
Copyright: 2014 The Uxbridge Times Journal/Tribune
Contact:  http://www.durhamregion.com/uxbridge-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2210
Author: Shawn Cayley

UXBRIDGE SUPPORTS PROPOSED MARIJUANA GROW FARM

Applicants Still Have Long Road To Approval From Health
Canada

UXBRIDGE -- The Township of Uxbridge will support a proposal from a
group of GTA men who want to establish a medical marijuana grow
facility on a 115-acre farm off Durham Road 30.

Council gave a verbal blessing to the group on Monday and will follow
through with a written letter to the federal government stating no
objection to the proposal. Obtaining the letter was the final hurdle
for the group, fronted by pharmacist Kandavel Palanivel, in order to
formalize an application for licensing through Health Canada.

Uxbridge's support of the plan by no means guarantees that plans for
the farm will come to fruition, but it does represent a step forward
for Mr. Palanivel's group.

"That doesn't mean it's going to happen, but ... we've started the
process," said Mayor Gerri Lynn O'Connor, who added that she believes
the Township did its homework before arriving at its decision.

"As has been explained to us, this is something that is being
regulated by the federal government and we've done our due diligence.
We've certainly done our homework and due diligence to get as many
questions as possible answered," she said.

Some of those questions -- mainly from residents living near the
proposed site -- involved safety and security.

At a meeting last week in Zephyr, and subsequently through meetings
with local residents, group applicant member George Smitherman and
councillor Pat Molloy discussed options to increase the level of
privacy and security at and around the site.

Should the proposal move ahead, the building of berms, additional
fencing, planting of trees and potential around-the-clock monitoring
of nearby properties is possible.

"We've met with the residents and done as much as we could," said
Coun. Molloy. "As you know it's never a perfect world and not
everybody will always agree, but I think we've worked on some of the
issues, some of the security issues that residents were concerned with."

Council issued its support for the plan with a unanimous
vote.

Councillor Pat Mikuse was first to throw down her support. She has a
daughter living in Calgary who has dealt with serious health issues
and was advised by doctors to try marijuana cookies. Though her
daughter had an adverse reaction to them and had to seek alternative
care, Coun. Mikuse believes there is place for medical marijuana use.

"I don't think everybody can use that product ... but I do think there
are people that do need it," she says. "I would support (the plan)."

Mr. Palanivel, meanwhile, says helping people in difficult health
situations is the reason he became enthused with the idea of
establishing a medical marijuana grow farm.

"I was drawn to this business opportunity because I have been
interested in how plants can improve the quality of life," he said,
noting more stories continue to surface world-wide of people who have
found healing through the plant.

Mr. Palanivel's group will have to await word on its application for
licensing through Health Canada before it can proceed with further
plans.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D