Marihuana Grow Op Bylaw Back in Hands of Administration
Prince George, B.C.- No decision yet on a marihuana grow op bylaw by Prince George City Council.
Council has unanimously agreed to send the matter back to Administration for further information and to add a proviso that medical marihuana operations require a specific zoning.
At issue is putting in place a bylaw that would govern details on where a medical marihuana grow operation would be allowed.
Councilor Brian Skakun asked what the RCMP have to say about the matter, and Ian Wells , Director of Planning responded with “Anything is better than the current set up” .
There are medical marihuana grow ops in the City, and they have been of concern to neighbours. There have been concerns about odours, and potential "grow rips".
With the Federal Government rules about medical marihuana grow ops changing, City Administration says it is better to have a policy in place before an application for such an operation comes forth.
Councilor Lyn Hall says he is concerned that if a policy is in place, there is no need for an applicant to stand before Council for approval for that commercial operation “We have the capacity to set the stage, it’s our rule, to me that’s common sense.”
Home grow ops were to be outlawed as of April 1st, but that has been put on hold until a court case on the matter has been heard.
“It is really unfortunate the Federal Government is dumping this into the laps of local governments” says Councilor Murry Krause. He says it isn’t just a matter of rezoning the land and saying ‘go for it’.
Councilor Frank Everitt says the city has had a number of complaints about folks growing their own crops for their own personal use, “We do need to establish areas around this rather than leaving it wide open. As it is laid out here, we have some controls.”
As it is laid out, Council was looking at a bylaw that would require a medical marihuana grow operation on a lot no smaller than 15 hectares, and that there be specific set backs of 30 m from all property lines, and not permitted within 150m of any lot zoned AR, RS, RT, RM, C,P, Z .
Whatever the decision on a future bylaw, it will have no change on the existing medical marihuana grow licenses “My understanding is that those existing license will be grandfathered and will be allowed to continue at their existing locations” says Walter Babicz, Director of Legislative Services.
“You know the Federal Government has dumped this on the municipalities, and that is not a good approach” says Councilor Albert Koehler “Even if we have our own rules, there are already individuals looking to buy farms in the Regional District.” Koehler calls this issue a “super slippery slope”.
Comments
A legal grow op going up in Parksville. The city has no say in it.
by John Harding – Parksville Qualicum Beach News
posted Mar 20, 2014 at 10:00 AMâ updated Mar 20, 2014 at 11:29 AM
The City of Parksville has been notified about the plans for a medical marijuana grow-op on agricultural lands within the municipality.
Director of planning Blaine Russell told The NEWS on Wednesday thereâs not much the city can do about the plans on property that fronts Stanford Avenue, even if it wanted to fight or support the application.
âThe city doesnât have much of a role in this particular case because the property is in the Agricultural Land Reserve,â said Russell. âWe canât fetter a farm use as defined in the ALR.â
As of April 1, the only legal source to obtain medical marijuana in Canada will be through licensed producers authorized by Health Canada to produce and distribute marijuana to those with valid prescriptions.
Russell said this is the first and only application the city is aware of in its jurisdiction and he said the city was notified as âa courtesy.â
âWe have received notification from one property that they are seeking an application from the federal government for a medical marijuana grow operation,â he said.
While the federal government issues the medical marijuana grow licences, the provincial government administers ALR lands.
Russell said some people might have a preconceived notion when they hear the words âgrow-op.â
âA lot of people think of the seedy side of grow-ops,â said Russell. âThis (the Stanford Avenue operation) would be a legitimately-licensed facility.â
What are you guy`s smoking?Stop the madness! I realize that it correct to spell marijuana “marihuana”according to the federal government,but it just looks screwed up to the real world.C`mon, get with the times OP250,,,,,,,or whatever, LOL. http://o.canada.com/health/marijuana-marihuana-canada-spelling-what
Ahhh, just call it Marryhyuwanna and leave it at that……..
The city should be stepping out in front of this issue. Smell is not an issue if addressed properly and crime is not an issue if its a legitimate licensed operation with proper security protocols in place.
I think taxation of medicinal marijuana (thanks for the correct spelling lol) should be a municipal issue. The cities should fight hard to get their hands on this taxation source, rather than fighting against it. Policing, fire issues, zoning resources, employment and social license are all local municipal issues.
The costs are local, and so then should the revenue be local.
Zone it so that a quality marijuana corporation could be located in the city close to the RCMP station (like their old station), and in turn require a $50 per ounce taxation flat tax on the finished product payable to the city of Prince George. Be the early leader in the industry, put the organized crime out of business in this region, and bring in tens of millions per year in royalty rates.
The city could easily earn enough to make a new police station like the new one every second year with the revenue generated from Northern BC alone. The city could cut property taxes by 30-40% which would make real estate very attractive in PG and we would see investors lined up to invest in a city soon to be debt free with the lowest property taxes in the country.
We have the assets, the legislation, and the ability to make it all happen. What we don’t have is municipal politicians that could allow it to go forward. I say get with the times and take a page from the Bronfmans. Others will pontificate and make up excuses, while raising taxes to cover their spending shortfalls….
It would be pretty awesome, if the upper government allow the municipality to tax the Mary Jay Wanna trade. We would all be getting checks in the mail.
“put the organized crime out of business in this region, and bring in tens of millions per year in royalty rates.”
Organized crime is loving this new legislation as your average Joe can’t afford to buy it from legal growers at their price. Organized crime dope will be cheaper so where will average Joe go buy it else risk growing his own?
50$ tax on an oz of MEDICAL marijuana would be madness. you do realize this is supposed to be for sick people not Mr. average joe blow. people with cancer, ms, tremors, chronic pain, ect. it is a medicine. the only way your idea Eagle will work is if marijuana is legalized for recreation. we cant morally or ethically expect sick people to bank role the city?! most cant work or are on disability? where does all this money come from?
Comment Posted by: Boudicca on April 29 2014 9:00 AM
50$ tax on an oz of MEDICAL marijuana would be madness. you do realize this is supposed to be for sick people not Mr. average joe blow. people with cancer, ms, tremors, chronic pain, ect. it is a medicine. the only way your idea Eagle will work is if marijuana is legalized for recreation. we cant morally or ethically expect sick people to bank role the city?! most cant work or are on disability? where does all this money come from?
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You should send your comments to big pharma and get back to us with their reply.
If the going rate n the crime world for an oz is $200 and it can be produced for well under a $100 and oz, then a $50 tax for legal health Canada certified should not be a burden.
Lets not kid ourselves in that 90% of the marijuana sold will be to recreation users. Medicinal or not anyone that smokes more than an oz a month is abusing it. So a $150 a month expense is a heck of a lot cheaper than the pharmaceutical companies are going to charge for any major illness medication.
If one can not afford that then they should grow their own if they think they can do it cheaper, which I highly doubt they can unless they are selling it illegally to subsidize their own use.
Who says we need the province or federal government to set a municipal tax rate on marijuana production? Its a business licensing fee for municipal overhead costs associated with the industry. A flat tax user pay business licensing fee no different then the rental unit fee the council recently experimented with.
Eagle one.. Why is it a ounce a month that makes you an abuser.. You just pull that out of your butt? Or some real stats behind it.. What’s your number for alcohol abuse.. 12 beer a week, a month ? Is a glass of wine every night okay ?
I also didn’t know you are a doctor being able to say even as a medicine more than an ounce a month is abuse..
Tax pot like cigarettes. Make sure the tax dollars go towards medical and not general revenue. We would again have the best “free” medical if the funds from this tax are used correctly.
Please Opinion 250……it it spelt MARIJUANA….
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/04/29/marijuana-spelling-canada-government_n_5235690.html
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