Pubdate: Thu, 29 May 2014
Source: Barrie Examiner (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014, Barrie Examiner
Contact: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/letters
Website: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2317
Author: Bob Bruton
Page: A1

MEDICAL POT ON CITY'S RADAR

Review of Industrial Land Polices Could Include Marijuana Operations

It's not just smoke that medicinal marijuana operations are part of 
the discussion as Barrie reviews its industrial land policies.

Steven Farquharson, the city's development planner, says pot 
operations are in the mix because the federal government allows these 
types of facilities to operate within municipalities, subject to 
local regulations such as zoning bylaws.

"There has been an increase in inquires for this type of use to 
locate in Barrie," he said, "therefore staff have reviewed this use 
and have determined it to be an industrial use, which is why it is 
being considered as part of this process."

Health Canada says dried marijuana is not an approved drug or 
medicine in Canada, and the federal government doesn't endorse its 
use of marijuana. However, the courts require reasonable access to a 
legal source of marijuana when authorized by a physician.

A public meeting was held recently on the city's application to amend 
its Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw, relating to industrial land 
policies, definitions, categories, mapping and site plan control areas.

Growing medicinal marijuana is currently only permitted in Barrie 
land zoned agricultural, because it involves growing a crop, Farquharson said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom