Pubdate: Fri, 16 Aug 2013
Source: Alberni Valley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Alberni Valley Times
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouverisland/albernivalleytimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4043
Author: Julie Bertrand

RESIDENT WANTS TO GROW LEGAL POT

Dion Hopkins wants to start commercial medical marijuana grow-up in 
unused Bute Street property

A Port Alberni resident wants to start a commercial medical marijuana 
grow-up in the city.

To that end, Dion Hopkins has approached city hall to ask for a 
re-zoning on the former Stephen's Sheet Metal building, which is 
located at the corner of Bute and Fourth streets.

Hopkins said he would like to produce and package marijuana there. He 
would also like to have a laboratory on-site to test the product and 
for research and development.

Hopkins said he started helping family members grow medical marijuana 
a couple of years ago, when they received their licence to use it.

"They could either purchase marijuana from Health Canada or grow it 
themselves," he said. "It just evolved from there."

Last winter, the government announced it was changing the system, 
stopping the sale of marijuana by Health Canada and eliminating 
personal-use production licences. Only commercial producers will be 
licensed in the new system.

Commercial producers will have to meet building and fire codes, as 
well as having a camera system, a detection and intrusion system and 
continuous monitoring.

Hopkins said he got hired by B.C. Relief Medical Marijuana to become 
a commercial producer. Since then, he has had discussions with city 
planner Scott Smith and the Port Alberni Fire Department to make sure 
his proposal meets all codes and regulations.

Smith said should the city allow the re-zoning to happen, the 
municipality's Official Community Plan would have to be amended as 
the city does not currently have any zoning or permit that would 
allow for commercial marijuana cultivation.

"It will have to go through a public hearing," he said. "There would 
need to be a text and a map amendment."

Smith expected the re-zoning request to come up at the next council 
meeting, which will be on Sept. 9. Coun. Jack McLeman said he does 
not have a problem with the proposal.

"If it comes and it's done right, OK," he said.

Mayor John Douglas said it was nice to see a resident come up with a 
business initiative that would fit in the Uptown area.

Port Alberni Fire Department fire chief Tim Pley said the growth of 
marijuana is not a high-risk process.

"It has the same risk has growing tomatoes [hydroponically]," he said.

Hopkins said he hoped to be set up and start growing marijuana on 
Oct. 1, which is the date Health Canada will start allowing 
commercial production.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom