Pubdate: Thu, 07 Dec 2017 Source: Sherwood Park News (CN AB) Copyright: 2017 Osprey Media Contact: http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx Website: http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1730 Author: Aaron Barr LET THE WEED GROW The County of Strathcona prides itself on being a "champion for advancing diverse agricultural business." We hope that you keep this spirit in mind when voting on the request to place a moratorium on cannabis operations under intensive horticulture in Strathcona County. As a county that puts priority on being a place that is open for business and investment, this moratorium is counter-intuitive to Strathcona's strategic priorities and goals. With agricultural expertise and well-honed entrepreneurial spirit, Alberta is poised to be a leader in the Canadian cannabis industry. Just like every farming operation is not the same, not every cannabis operation is alike. Licensed producers range from industrial to sustainable farming practices, each with its own zoning requirements. Health Canada's proposed approach to the legalization of cannabis, released in November 2017, supports "a diverse, competitive legal industry that is comprised of a range of market participants, including both small and large players in regions across the country." The proposed approach outlines three types of cultivation licenses and two processing licenses, including: micro-cultivation, which would authorize the small-scale growing of cannabis plants and harvesting material from those plants, as well as associated activities; and, micro-processing, which would authorize the small-scale manufacturing, packaging and labelling of cannabis products destined for sale to consumers, and the intra-industry sale of these products, including to provincially-territorially authorized distributors, as well as associated activities. Canada is the first of the G20 countries to fully legalize cannabis for recreational consumption and open up sale and distribution to both domestic and international markets. This is an unprecedented opportunity for Canada to be the global leader in the cannabis space, to shape the regulatory framework for cannabis around the world and to spur innovation and economic productivity. This is an innovative agriculture and entrepreneurial opportunity that the County of Strathcona has the chance to be at the forefront of. Many believe that consolidation of the cannabis industry is inevitable, leaving a few large players post-legalization. This is why many cannabis entrepreneurs are developing their cannabis operations as small-scale growing operations, which appropriately fall within intensive-horticulture zoning requirements rather than industrial. While federal and provincial legislation pertaining to the sale of recreational cannabis have yet to be finalized, the federal regulation and framework for licensed producers of cannabis has been in place and highly effective for nearly three years. The licensed production of cannabis is regulated under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). Under the current system, companies seek licenses from Health Canada to produce and distribute cannabis for medical purposes and must comply with a set of strict rules to meet safety and quality standards and security provisions. Only producers who are authorized to produce and sell to the public may sell or provide to eligible persons. As of date, it is only legal to produce cannabis under the ACMPR, and it is highly probably that the current federal system of cannabis for medical proposes will be used as a starting point for a new national system for legalized and regulated cannabis. With respect to the licensed producers, Health Canada officials continue to conduct a thorough review of the information on applications to ensure compliance with the regulations and associated directives (ie. the security directive). Health Canada also continues to work closely with producers once they are licensed as a means of monitoring and ensuring compliance with the regulations and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, including through inspections. This moratorium prevents an established, highly-regulated and secure industry from developing in the County of Strathcona. By restricting cannabis operations to industrial zoning, the County of Strathcona will be alienating many medical, sustainable and micro-cannabis operations from developing in Strathcona during the critical phase of development for the industry. This moratorium does not reflect a county that is open to agricultural diversity. Instead, it promotes Strathcona County locally, nationally and internationally as a place that is only open for one kind of cannabis business/investment, big industrial business, excluding sustainable and micro-farmers alike. If this moratorium passes, it will force numerous specialty agricultural companies to seek surrounding counties, such as Beaver County, Parkland County and Leduc County, who promote these types of business in agriculture to do business there. This will mean 10s of millions of dollars of development, tax dollars, jobs, and innovative agricultural advancements out of Strathcona County. As residents of Strathcona County, we are concerned with the long-term repercussions of excluding our county from an important part of a diverse industry that is poised and predicted to be the next "oil boom" for Alberta. Consider the job creation, the increase and diversification of agricultural industry, the opportunity for sustainable farming practices and micro-producers, and the chance to be at the forefront of a new, green economic boom. Council will vote on this moratorium. Residents of Sherwood Park need to voice their opinion to encourage and support innovation and agricultural opportunity in Strathcona County, and make sure this moratorium doesn't pass. - -------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Barr is a chief executive with Canadian Rockies Agricultural Inc., which has submitted a proposal for a medical marijuana growth facility to be built in rural Strathcona County. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt