Pubdate: Fri, 18 Nov 2016
Source: Brampton Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Brampton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.bramptonguardian.com/brampton-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1485
Author: Peter Criscione

CITY LOOKS TO GET HANDLE ON BUDDING RESIDENTIAL MARIJUANA OPERATIONS

A Brampton councillor wants the city to clamp down on licensed
marijuana grow operations in residential neighbourhoods.

"Even though there are legal marijuana grow operations happening in
residential communities, the municipality has no legislative authority
to inspect them for safety and compliance," said Regional Coun. Gael
Miles.

Miles won support on a motion at the Nov. 16 Community Services
meeting directing staff to research what legislative powers the
municipality can enact to counteract what she described "as a growing
concern locally."

Councillors heard that since 2014, Health Canada has issued some
35,000 licences for medical marijuana grow operations. Miles said she
was stunned to learn that some of those permits were approved for
commercial production in Brampton neighbourhoods.

"In the one case that I am citing there were children actually living
in the home where grow operations were happening," said Miles, noting
that she has met with concerned residents, police, public health and
bylaw enforcement officials on the issue.

Miles wants council to consider adopting a bylaw that would grant the
municipality greater powers on enforcement.

"I'm not talking about legal marijuana grow operations just for
personal use. I am talking about legal grow operations in residential
communities where the plant is actually harvested and sold."

Regional Coun. John Sprovieri said council "should send a message"
that Brampton "does not agree or think it is appropriate for
commercial grow ops in residential areas."

Miles heads up a committee made up of municipal leaders and other
stakeholders.

She asked councillors to allow the committee to continue its work and
use city resources to get a handle "on the extent of the problem."
Currently, the city is restricted in tracking the number of operations
set up locally.

Last year, Mississauga moved to become the first city in Canada to
licence and regulate the production of medical marijuana.

Mississauga's bylaw seeks to establish zoning for medical marijuana
production in manufacturing and industrial zones, and guarantees that
production conforms to building, fire and safety codes.

It gives inspectors the authority to enter facilities to make sure
that all regulations are being followed.

Miles argued that a similar bylaw in Brampton would have to extend to
residential neighbourhood.
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MAP posted-by: Matt