Pubdate: Sun, 14 Jan 2018
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2018 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: Roger Knox
Page: A5

ARMSTRONG PREPS FOR POT

When it becomes legal later this year, the City of Armstrong hopes to
be ready for the production and selling of marijuana within its boundaries.

The city asked for, and received, direction from staff on the
legalization of marijuana in Canada - which is slated to come into law
July 1 - and potential municipal regulatory rules.

"We have to realize that come July, there will be changes," said Mayor
Chris Pieper. "We have to look forward to handling the direction of
our federal government. We haven't been involved in this but it's
evolving in front of us everyday.

"We're six months away from enforcement day."

Council unanimously directed staff to prepare bylaw amendments as
required to "adequately position Armstrong for an orderly municipal
regulatory scheme for the sale and production of marijuana on July
1."

The federal legislation allows provinces to further restrict aspects
of marijuana sale and marketing.

The provincial government is currently undergoing consultation as part
of the process of developing its own legislation, but, at this time,
has not announced what form marijuana retailing will take in B.C.

The City of Armstrong perused four options before unanimously deciding
to take no specific controls on retail sales, and allow sales in any
zone which allows retail food sales.

In Armstrong, that would allow marijuana to be sold in C.1 Town Centre
Commercial; C.2 Highway and Service Commercial; C.3 Neighbourhood
Commercial; I. 1 General Industrial; P. 1 Park and Open Space (as an
accessory use) and P. 2 Administration, Service and Assembly.

Councillors Linda Fisher and Lance McGregor were absent from the
vote.

"The federal and provincial governments will be making up rules and
regulations," said Pieper. "They will be doing the inspections,
hopefully. They will be doing a lot of the footwork for legalizing the
business person to go into cannabis sales.

"It'll be our job to figure out where it's allowed in our community.
We are the learning the same as everyone else."

The city's current bylaw does not allow marijuana sales anywhere
because it's an illegal substance.

Coun. Paul Britton said the option selected was the most open
one.

"The other options were more restrictive where we'd have to do zoning
amendments and bylaw changes, and I'm not sure we want to get into
that," he said. "We need to wait and and see what happens."

Pieper agreed.

"Stay tuned," said the mayor. "The saga will go on until it becomes
legal and for years afterward because there will be changes as we move
forward."
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MAP posted-by: Matt