Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jan 2013
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Page: 5

COUNCIL AWAITS NEW FEDERAL RULES BEFORE GROW- OP HEARING

City council has agreed to table a zoning amendment on federally 
licensed medical marijuana grow operations until Ottawa adopts a new 
regulatory framework.

Marvin Kwiatkowski, director of development and engineering services, 
said in a report to council that postponing a public hearing will 
allow residents and local officials adequate time to review the 
proposed regulations and submit comments. The deadline for public 
feedback is Feb. 28.

His report also indicated that the medical marijuana supply will be 
available as of April 2014.

Coun. Ken Christian said the law needs reforming, particularly since 
the federal government approved individual licensing without 
providing any resources for proper regulation or enforcement.

"I believe that streamlining it and putting it out to the private 
sector is a good idea," said Coun. Tina Lange. Health Canada will no 
longer play the decision-maker on licences; that will be a matter 
between physicians and patients, she noted.

She wondered, though, how the City will be able to inspect such 
operations when they're kept confidential. Kwiatkowski responded that 
the City will have that knowledge through the permitting process.

Even if the matter had gone to a public hearing and received the 
City's approval, the new federal laws would supercede a municipal 
decision, Kwiatkowski said.

Coun. Nelly Dever moved that the City send a set of questions to 
Health Canada on the matter, but the motion was put over until next week.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom