Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2014
Source: Meaford Express, The (CN ON)
Page: Front Page
Copyright: 2014 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.simcoe.com/meaford-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4855
Author: Chris Fell

COUNCIL WANTS RULES FOR MEDICINAL MARIJUANA FARMS

Meaford council wants to get some planning regulations in place to
control where potential medicinal marijuana grow operations can be
located in the municipality.

Meaford council at its regular meeting on Monday, April 14 passed a
resolution giving staff permission to begin a planning study of the
issue. In addition, council asked for an interim control bylaw that
will prohibit medicinal marijuana grow operations from being
established on agricultural, rural, specialty agricultural,
commercial, development or industrial land in the municipality while
the study is ongoing.

Planning and Building Director Rob Armstrong authored a report about
the medicinal grow operation issue and recommended the steps that
council enacted. Armstrong said the federal government is making
changes to the rules on such grow operations to ensure that marijuana
grown for medicinal purposes is done in a safe and regulated fashion.

"This is a new issue. We have received a number of inquiries and our
planning documents don't regulate this use," Armstrong explained.

A planning study into the matter would take a look at what planning
regulations should be in place for such operations and determine the
appropriate zones for the location of such operations.

"We'll take a look at best practices and after the study we'll bring
in proper amendments to our zoning bylaw," he said.

Armstrong said it's important for the municipality to have planning
regulations in place for medicinal marijuana grow operations, because
the government does allow them.

"Health Canada is giving permits to anybody that qualifies - it's then
up to them to satisfy the municipality," said Armstrong.

Mayor Francis Richardson pointed out that the federal government still
allows municipalities to self regulate on this matter - unlike the
provincial government, which took away municipal planning control for
alternative energy projects through its draconian Green Energy Act.

"This is one place where the upper level of government has not taken
planning control out of our hands," said Richardson.

Councillor Mike Poetker said he is pleased to see staff getting ahead
of the ball on the matter, which will allow the municipality to get
policies in place and avoid reacting on the issue.

"This is a proactive measure. We've been caught on our heels a couple
of times," he said.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D