Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 Source: Innisfil Journal (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd. Contact: http://www.simcoe.com/innisfil-on/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4841 Author: Rick Vanderlinde TOWN WORKING ON ZONING RULES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES Council could approve a town-wide policy outlining rules to build medical marijuana facilities in Innisfil as early as March 4 But first residents will have a chance to ask questions and offer their ideas during a public open house at the town hall Jan. 29 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Residents will have an opportunity to study the wide-range of Health Canada regulations and municipal zoning rules that must be in place before marijuana production facilities can be approved. So far, there is one company proposing a facility in an empty industrial building on County Road 89 in Cookstown. But the town must pass a town-wide zoning bylaw before it deals with a specific site. Town staff recommend the following zoning rules: * Medical marijuana production facilities only permitted on land zoned industrial general and industrial business park. * The facility/ building must be located at least 70 metres away from residential zones and the property line of other sensitive land uses such as schools, parks, community centres and day nurseries. * The facility/building must be at least 100 metres away from residences in agricultural zones. * Access to municipal water and sewage servicing is preferred and mandatory where available. * Development on private servicing may only be permitted subject to approvals from the Ministry of Environment that there is sufficient water available for daily usage and that septic discharge from the facility can be safely treated. * No outdoor signage or advertising shall be permitted to ensure that nothing on the outside of the building will distinguish it as a medical marijuana facility. The open house will be followed by a public planning meeting Feb. 18, which will address public input at the open house. A staff report says an indoor medical marijuana facility would create 30 to 50 jobs. "Medical marijuana production facilities can provide additional high quality local employment opportunities, particularly within industrial buildings that are currently vacant," the report states. The 13 medical marijuana facilities in Canada are heavily regulated by the federal government, which has focused on health, safety and security before approving a new site. Health Canada has 1,000 applications for new facilities. Some Health Canada requirements include: * The site and its restricted areas must contain physical security barriers fencing designed to prevent unauthorized entry. * An air filtration system that prevents the escape of odours. * Systems must be implemented to ensure access is controlled at all times and is restricted to permit employees only. * A 24/7 visual monitoring and recording system for the perimeter of the site as well as areas where marijuana is located. * An intrusion detection system must be provided which will detect unauthorized access. * The site must be monitored by private security company. * The identity of every person entering or exiting the facility must be documented. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom