Pubdate: Fri, 04 Nov 2016
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Helen Pike
Page: 8

COUNCIL PLANTS SEED FOR WEED LEGALIZATION

Calgary's city council is going to bat for those with green thumbs,
instead of being caught up in the weeds of hobbyist marijuana growers.

This is a nod to the federal government as it embarks on regulatory
framework for legalizing recreational marijuana.

On Thursday, the city committee discussed an "advocacy position" on
regulating and legalizing marijuana.

This document will give the federal government an idea of what the
municipality would like to see when the drug is legalized in the
spring of 2017.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said there's much to consider, the city has
concerns about land use, business licensing, how weed will affect our
neighbourhoods, how police will handle enforcement and more.

"There's a whole whack of situations the city has to manage," said
Nenshi.

Originally, the city's position was to prohibit growing pot plants at
home - but Coun. Brian Pincott, and others, came out in opposition.

"To advocate for a prohibition, I feel is completely wrong," said
Pincott.

The city originally proposed limiting indoor plant growth due to
health and safety concerns, but councillors worried they were
conflating the idea of grow-ops in contrast to hobbyists with a few
crops.

"It's not like that," said Pincott. "Of course there will be people
who want to grow at home, just like there are people who brew their
own beer - at the end of the day, there's no difference."

Another item on the city's wish list is that they be considered for
revenues of any taxation - and that the government consider revisiting
revenue streams from other substances like alcohol.
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MAP posted-by: Matt