Pubdate: Thu, 18 Jan 2018
Source: Alaska Highway News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2018 Glacier Interactive Media
Contact:  http://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/716

TAYLOR LOOKS TO BAN MARIJUANA-FOR NOW

The District of Taylor is mulling a complete ban on selling and
growing marijuana within its borders ahead of federal legalization of
the drug expected this summer.

The district is looking to amend its zoning bylaw and ban the outright
sale and cultivation of marijuana, and at the same time repeal its
existing rules allowing for its medical production in light and heavy
industrial zones.

A public hearing goes Monday, Jan. 22, at 5 p.m. in council
chambers.

"If we don't get ahead of this and the province goes ahead and makes
it legal to then sell, grow, and cultivate marijuana, potentially
we'll have somebody come set up before we get an opportunity to
reflect on the legal changes in our bylaws," Mayor Rob Fraser said at
a council meeting last month.

"All of sudden they're now potentially grandfathered and we have no
ability to deal with them."

The federal government plans to legalize marijuana by July. The
province has already said the Liquor Distribution Branch will handle
wholesale distribution within B.C., while both public and private
retailers will be able to sell recreational pot. Buyers will need to
be 19.

However, mayors and councils across Canada will have the final say on
whether to allow marijuana to be sold and grown in their community
through their bylaws.

"What some other communities are doing is making an outright
prohibition right now until such a time we can understand what the
provincial regulations will be, at which time we can take those into
consideration with respect to our zoning and how we want to deal with
it," Fraser said.

"We need to get ahead of it so it doesn't get ahead of us. We're not
drawing any kind of judgment, we just don't know what's going to
happen. One day it's going to be not legal, and the next day it's
going to be legal, and we need to catch up to that."

Written submissions are being accepted at the district office until
Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m., or by emailing  ---
MAP posted-by: Matt