Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jan 2014
Source: Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Orangeville Banner
Contact:  http://www.orangeville.com/orangeville-on
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2217
Author: Bill Tremblay

DEFER MADNESS

Council Opts for Staff Input on Medical Marijuana Grow-Ops

Orangeville council will hold off on discussing if the town should 
regulate legal medical marijuana production facilities.

Faced with a report from planning director Nancy Tuckett requesting a 
review of regulatory tools available for dealing with legal grow-op 
sites, council opted to wait until planning department staff were 
present before making a decision.

"I guess I could think of a thousand businesses I would rather have," 
said Mayor Rob Adams.

Health Canada approved medical marijuana in 2001, allowing patients 
with a doctor's prescription to grow and possess small quantities of pot.

However, new regulations come into effect on April 1 that revoke a 
patient's ability to grow their own medicine. Instead, the private 
sector will be able to apply for licenses to operate large scale 
grow-ops to supply those with a prescription.

Although the discussion is on hold, a few members of council didn't 
bogart their opinions on the matter.

Coun. Scott Wilson said the town should treat legal grow-ops any 
differently than if it were a distillery or brewery looking to set up 
shop in town.

"We should take the approach we would take if Wisers or Molson wanted 
to move into town," Wilson said.

As part of the new process, hopeful green thumbs are required to 
notify municipal governments of their intentions. Orangeville has 
already received several requests from potential marijuana producers.

The planning department report offers numerous suggestions for 
regulation from business licenses to criminal record checks to 
limiting the number of legal grow-ops allowed within town boundaries.

"We can make it very difficult for them as indicated in the report. 
Or if we want to encourage them, we can be more lenient," Wilson 
said. "I think rather than isolate this type of production, we should 
be making it as reasonably easy as possible."

Wilson added he isn't encouraging a marijuana production free for all either.

"Let's not make it onerous, and not make it come right in and set up 
where you want to," Wilson said.

Coun. Gail Campbell approached the issue from a different school of thought.

"I don't understand why we need to have this type of grow-op 
situation when marijuana is available in capsules," she said. "I do 
agree with the government making it restricted and done under certain 
conditions."

Campbell added she wants to hear from the planning department as to 
how remediation would work for defunct production sites.

"My understanding is these places can never be rehabilitated," Campbell said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom