Pubdate: Tue, 11 Feb 2014
Source: Mountain View Gazette  (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Mountain View Publishing
Contact:  http://www.mountainviewgazette.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4234
Author: Kevin Vink

QUESTIONS ABOUND OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLAN

More than 100 residents and officials attended a Feb. 4 open house at 
the Cremona community centre to discuss a medical marijuana growing 
facility being proposed for the area.

All Mountain View County (MVC) councillors were present other than 
Reeve Bruce Beattie. Two Releaf Inc. officials and Todd Aasen from 
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Develeopment (AESRD) 
were also there to answer questions.

Releaf Inc. is proposing the construction of a greenhouse facility 
north of Cremona where medical marijuana would be grown under Health 
Canada licence.

Many of those in attendance voiced concerns about not being notified 
of the project prior to the county granting a development permit for 
a greenhouse at the site.

One resident asked why the awarding of the development permit was not 
posted in the newspaper. In reply, Coun. Al Kemmere said there is no 
requirement to notify the public when greenhouse permits are issued.

Shirley Madge, manager of development for MVC, presented proposed 
changes to the land use bylaw, which would designate any future 
marijuana production facility differently than other greenhouses - a 
distinction that has not been required in the past.

The current Land Use Bylaw 11/11 (Section 2.5), which the Releaf 
operation is designated under, states: "Horticultural use means an 
agricultural operation concerned with intensively cultivated plants 
produced on site and are either used for food, for medicinal, 
environmental, aesthetic purposes or sold."

Because the facility fell under Section 2.5, and because it had met 
all requirements, it was exempted from being posted publicly, in 
accordance with the bylaw, she added.

The proposed changes to the bylaw would see another definition added: 
"Horticultural use, medicinal, means the production of intensively 
cultivated plants for physician-prescribed forms of medicinal or 
therapeutic benefit."

Such facilities would be required to be located in industrial or 
commercial zones if passed by county council, and would be subject to 
taxes that the Releaf operation will be exempted from.

The issue of medical marijuana growing facilities is a relatively new 
one, as Health Canada has started licensing companies to grow it, 
telling prescribed patients that they cannot grow it in their homes, 
as was done in the past, noted Kemmere.

One resident asked what the facility's effect on local aquifers will 
be. In response AESRD's Todd Aasen explained that Releaf will not be 
using wells, but rather will be collecting surface water runoff, and 
that the company has been licensed for a certain amount, which will 
be stored in an underground storage tank.

He added the water used in the facility - which will employ 
hydroponic systems - will be collected and disposed of at wastewater 
facilities.

Another resident asked what the smell would be like for surrounding 
residents, to which Elise Coppens, public relations manager for 
Releaf, said the greenhouses will use air scrubbers, and that "the 
air coming out will likely be cleaner than when it went in."

Security concerns were another issue raised at the meeting. In 
response Dale Lesack, operations manager for Releaf, said the 
facility will be a low-profile building with no signage and neutral colours.

The building will also be enclosed with a security fence and employ 
24-hour surveillance, with at least one staff member being on site at 
all times, he said.

Coppens elaborated on this, saying with medical-grade marijuana, the 
combination of organic compounds in the product will be different 
than what illicit users seek for their consumption, so informed 
thieves would not want the products anyway.

Earlier in the meeting, she also revealed that there will be anywhere 
from 10 to 20 local people employed at the facility, adding that the 
proximity to Olds College will allow the company to employ 
horticulture students in their chosen trade.

One resident asked if the company could talk to students in the area 
about the difference between street-grade and medical-grade marijuana.

Coppens said she "completely supports that idea," and "we would love 
to commit to that, and I think that's a wonderful suggestion."

Kemmere told the Gazette during an interview following the meeting, 
that although not all of the residents left completely pleased, 
because they couldn't stop the project, he thinks it was worthwhile.

"I think they left a lot more informed, and that was one of our 
intents, is to make sure they got the information from the county's 
perspective so they could understand what's taken place and where 
we're going from there," said Kemmere.

"I believe people are particularly concerned with water, and that was 
addressed by Alberta Environment (officials), and the other is security."

They will be leery until they see the security in place, he added, 
noting that it won't be a greenhouse, rather a covered building that 
will look just like other buildings in the area.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom