Pubdate: Wed, 26 Feb 2014
Source: Nelson Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4866
Author: Greg Nesteroff

FIVE MAY APPLY TO GROW MEDICAL POT IN RDCK

Chances appear slim

Health Canada has notified the Regional District of Central Kootenay
of five potential applicants for new medicinal marijuana licenses,
including two in the lower Slocan Valley, one on the Arrow Lakes, and
one in rural Kaslo.

As of April 1, Canadians licensed to use medical pot will no longer be
allowed to grow their own supply. Small-scale producers are expected
to be replaced with large commercial operations.

"The chances of us having a legal grow-up in the RDCK are pretty slim,
because the government appears to be favouring large corporations,"
rural Kaslo director Andy Shadrack said last week.

However, staff were still instructed to proceed with draft bylaws
governing such facilities to minimize the impact on neighbours. The
board has already stated medical marijuana can only be grown in
agricultural zones or on property in the Agricultural Land Reserve,
but a series of land use bylaws may be amended to regulate things like
parcel size, setbacks, site coverage, and parking.

Special development permit areas may also be established to regulate
"unique aspects" of marijuana production facilities, including
landscaping and lighting.

But public hearings will be required before the changes are adopted,
even in areas where no applications have been received.

Medical grow-ops are also allowed in areas that lack zoning, such as
the lower Slocan, where they will only face limited controls through
development permits, in addition to Health Canada requirements.

The regional district has issued "letters of comfort" to the five
groups that intend to apply for licenses, confirming they meet zoning
rules.

However, rural Salmo director Hans Cunningham, who chairs the RDCK's
rural affairs committee, said he fears problems with the new system
since only a half dozen licenses have been approved across Canada.

"The old growers will be banned and the new production facilities
won't be ready, so for six months or a year, it's going to be very
difficult for those using medical marijuana to obtain anything
legally," he said. "Maybe they should stock up."

According to a memo, RDCK planning staff know of two production
facilities under current rules and have responded to "numerous" phone
calls from people interested in pursuing licensing under the new
regulations.
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MAP posted-by: Matt