Pubdate: Thu, 29 Oct 2015
Source: Standard, The (St. Catharines, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 St. Catharines Standard
Contact: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/letters
Website: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/676
Author: Ray Spiteri
Page: A8

RESIDENTS TO GET SAY ON POT SITE LOCATIONS

Each medical marijuana application must go before council

Niagara Falls will consider medical marijuana facilities on a
site-by-site basis.

That means each application to Health Canada to operate in the city
will have to go before municipal council for planning approval, and be
subject to a public meeting.

The site-by-site motion was put forward by Coun. Carolynn Ioannoni,
who said it will allow politicians to closely scrutinize each
application, and allow residents to make their views heard.

"We are not going to approve an application that comes before us
that's sitting in the backyard of residential areas. It's futile. I
can't imagine with the limitation of permits that are going to be
issued, and applications that are going to be before us, that's it's
going to be a prohibitive issue for us," said Ioannoni, noting the
federal application process is detailed.

Council could have permitted medical marijuana facilities as-of-right
in certain industrial, agricultural and rural zones, subject to a
particular separation distance from sensitive land uses, such as
residences, schools and churches.

Instead, council decided to consider applications on a site-by-site
basis and deal with separation distances as applications come before
them.

Medical marijuana facilities were the subject of discussion at a
public meeting Tuesday night at city hall in Niagara Falls, where
residents gave their views.

More than half a dozen residents spoke, some opposing medical
marijuana facilities in Niagara Falls and others detailing the medical
benefits and the potential for economic prosperity.

Niagara Falls resident Steve Abbruscato said he's against the
establishment of medical marijuana factories in his city.

"There are other options available where the city can potentially
create jobs and also make money," he said.

"I do see the benefits in establishing these industries within our
city, but =C2=85 I would definitely explore other options. I just ask tha
t
councillors use good judgment. I think tonight's meeting will
definitely establish precedence, and I would strongly recommend that
we are very careful with the establishment of a proper buffer zone
between industries and residential areas, schools, hospitals."

Coun. Wayne Thomson said he had concerns about marijuana, but added
watching a recent television program highlighting how it can help sick
patients, such as those suffering from seizures and epilepsy, altered
his perception.

"Medical marijuana has its uses," said Thomson. "If it isn't here,
it's going to go someplace else. We have the opportunity for
employment and jobs. I like the idea being suggested that we deal with
this on a site-by-site basis, so that (if) somebody has an
application, we have a public meeting. If somebody has a concern about
it, they come and express their opinion, and then we make the decision
with respect to whether it's appropriate, whether the distances are
appropriate, and we deal with it in a business-like manner."

In 2013, the federal government introduced new rules governing the
growing, processing and distribution of medical marijuana.

A licence is required by Health Canada. To get a licence, an applicant
must obtain a letter from the municipality outlining the zoning for
the property where it will be located.

While municipal councils don't have the authority to approve or
disapprove of medical marijuana facilities, they can restrict their
whereabouts by indicating where they can be located.
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MAP posted-by: Matt