Pubdate: Thu, 08 May 2014
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.pqbnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361
Author: John Harding

CITY TRIES TO PREPARE FOR MARIJUANA OPERATIONS

City wants to steer any such business to the industrial park

If medical marijuana operations want to set up shop in Parksville, the
city wants to have some say in where the weed is produced.

City council has instructed staff to come up with bylaws that could
essentially steer any potential operation to the industrial park.
Staff and council seem resigned to the fact they won't have much say
about lands within the city boundary that are in the Agricultural Land
Reserve - the Agricultural Land Commission has said growing medical
marijuana will be a permitted farm use in the ALR.

"Our hands are somewhat tied," said director of planning Blaine
Russell.

When a potential producer applies to Health Canada for a licence, the
federal government requires the applicant to notify the local
government. The city has received one notice of intent from someone
who is applying for a licence (on ALR land within the city facing
Shelly Road).

"It is expected that federal process will will ultimately be a
stringent one where accountability and security are the highest
priorities," Russell wrote in his report to council. "Given the
requirements, it is anticipated that few applications will ultimately
be approved."

Council passed a motion Monday night directing staff to come up with
bylaw(s) for future consideration that would increase setbacks for
this type of operation and change the industrial park zoning to
include medical marijuana production as a permitted use.

Court challenges have the laws and procedures around the production of
medical marijuana in limbo, but Russell told council federal
regulations will ensure the pot is grown indoors in a secure facility.

Last year, Mayor Chris Burger floated the idea of attracting medical
marijuana producers as a potential revenue (tax) source for the city.
On Monday night, he said he's heard anecdotally an operation in
Nanaimo is doing well and looking to hire more people.

Just in case council was considering a city-wide prohibition on
growing medical marijuana, in his report, Russell also said, given
recent court decisions, "it is unlikely that a city-wide prohibition
would ultimately be successful."
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MAP posted-by: Matt