Pubdate: Thu, 31 Dec 2015
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015, The Belleville Intelligencer
Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/letters
Website: http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: Jason Miller
Page: 5

MARIJUANA REPORT RETURNING

Residents have opportunity to discuss city's approach to production,
distribution

Local residents will now get an opportunity to chime in on the city's
bid to set the ground rules for medical marijuana production and sale
here.

Though the public is expected to have its say once the document
reaches the planning advisory committee Monday - then on to council
for a vote - the report preceding what's expected to be an amended
bylaw indicates "no concerns or objections have been received to date
in response to the circulation and public notice."

"This will give planning and the public a chance to look at the
proposed definitions and to offer input on whether they think it's
specific enough," said Greg Pinchin, the author of the report. "We're
still seeking further direction. This is the first public meeting
where it is available for discussion.

"Council will be another opportunity for public input. The public can
always make deputation to council."

One area Pinchin's report does not address at this stage is where such
facilities would be permitted to setup - an area of concern for some
committee members, who seem to like anywhere but the urban part of the
city.

"That hasn't been addressed at this point," he said. "I would expect
to see that in our next bylaw. Not sure what the timing on that would
be."

Similar steps were taken to define the operation of methadone clinics
here, Pinchin said.

Staff tabled the report to satisfy the committee's earlier call to
weed out grey areas, differentiating between currently defined
manufacturing and retail uses and more uses related to production and
distribution of medical marijuana and cannabis products under the
city's bylaw.

In doing so, the amended zoning rules now stipulate "medical marijuana
facility shall mean premises used for the growing, producing, testing,
destroying, storing, or distribution of medical marijuana or cannabis
authorized by a license issued by Health Canada."

It also states "marijuana dispensary shall mean a business selling or
dispensing marijuana or cannabis products as the primary activity of
the business."

Current zoning bylaws predate the establishment of such uses,
therefore making it unclear whether a medical marijuana production
facility could currently be interpreted as an agricultural or
industrial use.

The next step is to draft a new bylaw including the aforementioned
definitions.

While backing council's preemptive efforts to set the ground rules for
medical marijuana facilities - if they were to ever spring roots here
- - Coun. Mike Graham is smoking out the prospect of him ever backing
the legalization of pot.

The former senior police officer says the report does nothing to
appease his doubts about the potential harm the drug can cause.

The former police inspector said, when the issue was raised in
November, he isn't high on the idea of opening the door to
legalization or grey areas linked to production and retail sales, but
says he supports usage for medical purposes only.

"I will not support the potential legalization and, therefore, I will
not support the setup of retail and dispensary uses," he said, "No,
no, no no. I can't support that."

Since the November meeting on the matter, the councillor has received
numerous notes from those on the other side of the fence, "telling me
to get with the times. Well, I've lived those times and I see nothing
productive with legalizing marijuana, it's just another way to get
high," said the former officer, who managed the drug squad for 15 years.

He does make a compromise for those with legitimate prescriptions, who
he said should have access to a controlled location managed by Health
Canada.
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MAP posted-by: Matt