Pubdate: Tue, 12 Jan 2016
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016, The Belleville Intelligencer
Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/letters
Website: http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: Jason Miller
Page: 2

CITY MOVES AHEAD ON POT

Council won't be butting-out on proceeding with setting ground rules 
for medical marijuana production and sale here.

Despite opposition from some councillors, the motion to enact a 
rejigged bylaw sheltering the city's interest went ahead as 
recommended by the planning advisory committee.

Coun. Paul Carr and former police inspector, Coun. Mike Graham, are 
vehemently against legalization, despite the fact that Prime Minister 
Justin Trudeau has handpicked former Toronto police chief Bill Blair 
to lead the federal government's agenda for legalization.

Carr rejected the motion, saying he's not onside with dispensary, 
retail operations setting up shop here.

"It's not legal under federal law," he said, adding that a number of 
municipalities have amended bylaw to "allow for production 
facilities, but I can't find any amendments where they have included 
marijuana dispensary in terms of retail sales," Carr said.

The federal government faces mounting roadblocks, including several 
international agreements on the issue and the always difficult 
consent from the provinces.

Carr noted that while he lauded the city's proactive approach, in 
this case the city is acting too fast on a matter where any rules it 
set could be deemed useless if it doesn't align with provincial and 
federal rules, if and when they take effect. Vancouver and Victoria 
have sought police input on how to address grey areas, such as 
dispensaries toeing the legal line.

"I think we're moving too far ahead in terms of where the law may 
go," said Carr.

Council's support now gives staff the green-light to clearly define 
how and where these retail and manufacturing facilities can operate 
can proceed on to become law. The proposed amended zoning rules now 
stipulate "medical marijuana facility shall mean premises used for 
the growing, producing, testing, destroying, storing, or distribution 
of medical marijuana or cannabis authorized by a license issued by 
Health Canada."

It also states "marijuana dispensary shall mean a business selling or 
dispensing marijuana or cannabis products as the primary activity of 
the business."

Current zoning bylaws predate the establishment of such uses, 
therefore making it unclear whether a medical marijuana production 
facility could currently be interpreted as an agricultural or industrial use.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom