Pubdate: Sun, 07 Jul 2013
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: Richard Rolke

MEDICINAL GROW-OPS POSE A CHALLENGE

Local officials are scrambling over the potential management of
industrial marijuana planations.

The Regional District of North Okanagan is attempting to understand
its role under proposed federal rules that would see medicinal
marijuana operations shift from homes to commercial settings in 2014.

"These aren't just little fields of green plants. We're looking at how
to manage the impact," Rob Smailes, general manager of planning and
building, told electoral area directors Thursday.

"A lot of people are scratching their heads about this. We are
responsible for regulating land use and buildings and this is being
dropped right down in the middle of that."

B.C.'s Agricultural Land Commission has indicated that such operations
will be considered a farm use within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Outside of the ALR, they will have to be in industrial zones.

Smailes believes the regional district may have to reconsider what is
permitted in terms of farm buildings as marijuana plantations may
include concrete or brick structures.

"There will be strict security requirements and they will have to
notify local government, the RCMP and the fire departments about their
locations whereas they didn't have to do that before," he said.

RDNO staff continue to review the federal policy and the implications
for planning issues in the five electoral areas.

"We have some already and we're getting complaints about things like
odour," said Smailes.

The federal government announced a new strategy for medicinal
marijuana in June.

"While the courts have said that there must be reasonable access to a
legal source of marijuana for medical purposes, we believe that this
must be done in a controlled fashion in order to protect public
safety," said Leona Aglukkaq, health minister.

"These changes will strengthen the safety of Canadian communities,
while making sure patients can access what they need to treat serious
illnesses."

Health Canada reports that the number of people authorized to grow
medicinal marijuana in the country has gone from 500 to 30,000 since
2001.

"This rapid increase has had unintended consequences for public
health, safety and security as a result of allowing individuals to
produce marijuana in their homes," states a Health Canada release.

"Under the new regulations, production will no longer take place in
homes and municipal zoning laws will need to be respected, which will
further enhance public safety."
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MAP posted-by: Matt