Pubdate: Wed, 12 Feb 2014
Source: Nanton News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Nanton News
Contact: http://www.nantonnews.com/letters
Website: http://www.nantonnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3200
Author: Rob Vogt

MD WANTS MORE CONTROL OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTION FACILITIES

The Municipal District (MD) of Willow Creek will continue its efforts
to have more control over where medicinal marijuana grow operations
are located within its boundaries.

Reeve Neil Wilson raised the issue for further discussion at the MD
council meeting on Feb. 5.

The issue is that Health Canada will approve these operations without
notifying anyone, including the local municipality or police. There
have been instances in the cities where police investigate a reported
grow-op and raid the operation, only to be presented with a permit
saying it is for medicinal purposes.

Cynthia Vizzutti, the MD's chief administrative officer, explained the
MD's lawyer said the federal government has overarching jurisdiction
on this matter, and it would need to be changed at the federal level.

That would likely take a court challenge, Wilson observed.

Coun. Glen Alm said he would like to send a letter to the local MP,
but there isn't one currently for the Macleod riding.

It was then suggested a letter be sent to the Alberta Association of
Municipal Districts and Counties expressing these concerns, with a
copy going to the federal minister of health.

The MD had also submitted a resolution to the Foothills-Little Bow
Municipal Association at its Jan. 17 meeting in Lethbridge requesting
the AAMDC lobby the federal government to allow municipalities to
require zoning approvals and development permits for the placement of
medical marijuana production facilities.

However, that resolution was defeated.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D