Pubdate: Wed, 26 Mar 2014
Source: Tribune, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/letters
Website: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2807
Author: Maryanne Firth

FORMER PM PUSHING FOR POT

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Company applies for commercial licence in Port
Colborne

A former prime minister is setting out on a joint initiative.

John Turner, who served as Canada's 17th prime minister from June 30
to Sept. 17, 1984, has put his support behind creation of a commercial
medical marijuana grow operation in Port Colborne.

Turner has started working with Muileboom Organics Inc., which has
applied for its commercial licence at 462 Pinecrest Rd.

The retired politician, who sits on the company's board, was at Port
Colborne city council Monday night for a public hearing that addressed
a city-initiated application for a zoning bylaw amendment.

The application is meant to provide Port Colborne with more control
over where medical marijuana facilities, already permitted as an
agricultural use, can set up in the municipality.

New federal legislation comes into effect April 1 that regulates
larger production, processing and distribution of marijuana.

Turner did not speak during the meeting. He instead sat silently in
the front row of the gallery as discussions were underway.

But on Tuesday, he expressed his motivation behind his involvement
with the company, saying the Muileboom project "makes sense to me."

"The Canadian government's behind it. I think Canadian people
understand the merits of it. Besides the odd neighbourhood problem,
which I understand, it makes a lot of sense."

Asked if he himself is a user of medical marijuana, the 84- year-old
Toronto resident said with a laugh: "I've never used it, no."

He does, however, believe legalizing and regulating medical marijuana
is a smart move.

"I think it makes sense from a point of view of Canadian health,
Canadian medical practice," he said. It will allow Canadians to
"respond to the current movement of how we protect our health and our
bodies and our minds a little better," he added.

With his involvement with the company, Turner felt it important to
attend Monday night's meeting to show his support and intends to be at
future public meetings regarding the development.

"I believe in the public process," he said.

"(The meeting) was well conducted. All points of view were
heard."

Several residents spoke against the commercial grow op Monday night,
raising their concerns of increased crime, decreased property values
and impact to the environment.

The Pinecrest grow-op is currently privately operated and licenced for
individual use, not commercial.

It was about three weeks ago that Muileboom Organics notified Niagara
Regional Police, city hall and Port Colborne's fire department of its
intentions to gain commercial status. The company has also submitted
its intentions to Health Canada in a 700-page document.

Four licenced individuals currently use the property to grow marijuana
for their own personal use. Muileboom wants to grow the facility and
has submitted an application to produce 1,500 kg of marijuana per year
- - about 1,300 prescriptions worth, said company president Marc Kealey.

The existing facility needs to undergo expansion and additional
changes to ensure it is in compliance with the new regulations, which
require quality control to be conducted, properly trained and educated
staff on site, an ability to register clients, 24-hour security and
air purification systems to reduce any odours.

Kealey said the company has standard operating practices and a team of
professionals he believes is "probably the envy of the country."

He called the Health Canada application process a rigorous one that
undergoes thorough review before any approval is granted. There are
"stringent" guidelines that must be followed to be successful, he added.

Concerns of neighbouring residents will be taken into account when the
board is making decisions, he said, adding there is a "necessity for
good corporate responsibility."

Kealey believes once residents "see this is a legitimate business,"
there will be a change in attitude.

"This is an important initiative. The government of Canada has taken
very serious steps to make this safe, secure and viable," he said.

"And we're committed to making sure everybody's voice is
heard."

Muileboom is expecting to hear back from Health Canada about its
application in the next few weeks.

A report outlining Port Colborne's proposed zoning bylaw amendment,
which includes setbacks from residences and other properties, will go
before council for approval on April 14.
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MAP posted-by: Matt