Pubdate: Wed, 03 Sep 2014
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Page: A1
Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Spencer Anderson

PROPOSED POT FACILITY RILES UP RESIDENTS

Medical Marijuana Idea In Early Stages

The firm proposing a medical marijuana production facility in the
Nanoose area outside of Nanaimo is committed to working with the
public to address concerns surrounding the project, according to its
CEO. However, a growing group of residents is opposed to the project.

Among them is Regional District of Nanaimo board chairman Joe
Stanhope, who says complaints from residents about the project has
convinced him to oppose it.

Vancouver-based Wildflower Marijuana Inc. has put forward an
application for a facility in Nanoose Bay and also has plans for a
second facility in the Yellow Point area. In total, the company is
proposing approximately 150,000 square feet of facility space between
the two locations.

The company has not confirmed the exact location of the proposed
Nanoose facility for security reasons, and also because an application
is still before Health Canada, CEO and president William MacLean said.

However, a group of residents from the River's Edge subdivision say
the proposed facility is located next door and have come out against
the proposal for a variety of security, environmental, traffic and
other concerns. A neighbourhood meeting was scheduled to be held on
the topic last night.

River's Edge resident Lehann Wallace said her view on the matter is
set and pledged to fight the proposal.

"We will do everything possible to make sure this doesn't happen, and
if we need to get an injunction, we will," she said Tuesday afternoon.

Stanhope said he has written to Health Canada and Nanaimo-Alberni MP
James Lunney to express his views on the matter.

He added he has heard from "at least 20" residents who have all
opposed the facility. Stanhope said he plans to bring forward a motion
in front of the RDN board calling for the RDN to oppose the project.

"I'm going to do what I can, I don't know what we can do (as) the
regional district," Stanhope said.

Despite objections from some residents, the facility is proposed on
land within the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Land Commission
permit the production of medical marijuana as a farm use on ALR land.

MacLean pledged Wildflower would address residents' concerns and said
the company will also strive to build an environmentally-conscious
facility.

"I think it's important to note that we didn't come to the selection
of our locations lightly, it's something that we worked with local
government to make sure that we were going into an area that we were
legally entitled to go into," he said.

"Our goal is to have as minimal impact on the local residents as
possible. If anything, we want to have a positive impact." 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D