Pubdate: Thu, 29 Oct 2015
Source: Niagara Falls Review, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Niagara Falls Review
Contact: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/letters
Website: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2907
Author: Ray Spiteri
Page: A1

PEOPLE TO GET SAY ON POT SITE LOCATIONS

Each Medical Marijuana Application Must Go Before Council

Niagara Falls will consider medical marijuana facilities on a 
site-by-site basis.

That means each application to Health Canada to operate in the city 
will have to go before municipal council for planning approval, and 
be subject to a public meeting.

The site-by-site motion was put forward by Coun. Carolynn Ioannoni, 
who said it will allow politicians to closely scrutinize each 
application, and allow residents to make their views heard.

"We are not going to approve an application that comes before us 
that's sitting in the backyard of residential areas. It's futile. I 
can't imagine with the limitation of permits that are going to be 
issued, and applications that are going to be before us, that's it's 
going to be a prohibitive issue for us," said Ioannoni, noting the 
federal application process is detailed.

Council could have permitted medical marijuana facilities as-of-right 
in certain industrial, agricultural and rural zones, subject to a 
particular separation distance from sensitive land uses, such as 
residences, schools and churches.

Instead, council decided to consider applications on a site-by-site 
basis and deal with separation distances as applications come before them.

Medical marijuana facilities were the subject of discussion at a 
public meeting Tuesday night at city hall in Niagara Falls, where 
residents gave their views.

More than half a dozen residents spoke, some opposing medical 
marijuana facilities in Niagara Falls and others detailing the 
medical benefits and the potential for economic prosperity. Niagara 
Falls resident Steve Abbruscato said he's against the establishment 
of medical marijuana factories in his city.

"There are other options available where the city can potentially 
create jobs and also make money," he said.

"I do see the benefits in establishing these industries within our 
city, but ... I would definitely explore other options. I just ask 
that councillors use good judgment. I think tonight's meeting will 
definitely establish precedence, and I would strongly recommend that 
we are very careful with the establishment of a proper buffer zone 
between industries and residential areas, schools, hospitals."

Coun. Wayne Thomson said he had concerns about marijuana, but added 
watching a recent television program highlighting how it can help 
sick patients, such as those suffering from seizures and epilepsy, 
altered his perception.

"Medical marijuana has its uses," said Thomson. "If it isn't here, 
it's going to go someplace else. We have the opportunity for 
employment and jobs. I like the idea being suggested that we deal 
with this on a site-by-site basis, so that (if) somebody has an 
application, we have a public meeting. If somebody has a concern 
about it, they come and express their opinion, and then we make the 
decision with respect to whether it's appropriate, whether the 
distances are appropriate, and we deal with it in a business-like manner."

In 2013, the federal government introduced new rules governing the 
growing, processing and distribution of medical marijuana.

A licence is required by Health Canada. To get a licence, an 
applicant must obtain a letter from the municipality outlining the 
zoning for the property where it will be located.

While municipal councils don't have the authority to approve or 
disapprove of medical marijuana facilities, they can restrict their 
whereabouts by indicating where they can be located.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom