There might be little the law can do about medicinal marijuana shops, but Maple Ridge council is trying to take a tougher tack on those who grow medicinal pot.
Tuesday, council approved sending a letter to MP Randy Kamp and Health Canada, asking the department to ensure that all marijuana-licence holders are following provincial, federal and local laws.
The letter is based on a resolution sent earlier by the district to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention, taking place this weekend in Toronto.
That resolution cites the dangers posed by medical marijuana grow ops, such as risk of home invasions, health risks to children and possible chemical spills and calls for Health Canada to take "immediate action" to verify compliance with all laws and regulations.
The resolution will also be sent to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
The step is the latest the district is taking as it tries to respond to the opening of Taggs Medical Cannabis Dispensary in a house on 224th Street, south of Lougheed Highway, early this month.
The dispensary is operated by the newly-formed non-profit Always Growing Green Society, selling medical marijuana to those with permits from Health Canada or a doctor.
According to a municipal staff report, the "sudden appearance" of a compassion club is causing "great concern in this municipality," but notes that because it's run by a non-profit society, the district can't enforce its business licence bylaw.
Mayor Ernie Daykin said Health Canada was asking for evidence of the impact of the shop on Maple Ridge, such as the increased workload faced by the bylaws department, police or fire departments.
That's currently being compiled, but so far according to police and Maple Ridge bylaws, the house hasn't caused any complaints in the month it's been operating.
"In terms of complaints that we have received, I'm not aware of any," said bylaws director Brock McDonald, adding he'd have to check with staff.
He said if the house was causing a disruption in the neighbourhood, such as creating noise or garbage, "then something might come forward to us."
Even though the building is a house, it's currently in a commercial zone. "If it was a business, then the way the land is zoned currently, it would be a permitted use."
Ridge Meadows RCMP also do not report any complaints so far in the few weeks the house has been open.
"We're monitoring it, there's no doubt about it," a police spokesperson said.
Previously, Insp. Dave Walsh told council that technically, when marijuana is sold, it's trafficking. But he said he was waiting to hear from the Department of Justice on what, if any, enforcement action to take.
Cannabis compassion clubs like Taggs are not legal in Canada and are not part of the federal medical cannabis program. Their status is still under debate and law enforcement often turn a blind eye to their services as long as the dispensaries serve patients who have documentation.
The issue cropped up last year as well when Surrey asked that Health Canada require medicinal marijuana grow operations to follow all electrical, health, fire and safety regulations.
That prompted a response from Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, explaining that her department does not verify compliance by medicinal marijuana users. Those responsibilities are stated when the person gets the licence, she said.
However, the department is also looking at ways to improve the marijuana medical access program and is consulting with several public agencies.
After more than seven years of the program's operation, only 4,869 people in Canada have been authorized to possess the narcotic plant under Marijuana Medical Access Regulations.
Of those, only a select few (1,137 people in Canada) hold a personal use production licence, or designated-person production licence, from Health Canada — a permit that allows you to grow legal pot.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: BCLocalNews.com
Author: Phil Melnychuk
Copyright: 2010 BlackPress
Tuesday, council approved sending a letter to MP Randy Kamp and Health Canada, asking the department to ensure that all marijuana-licence holders are following provincial, federal and local laws.
The letter is based on a resolution sent earlier by the district to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention, taking place this weekend in Toronto.
That resolution cites the dangers posed by medical marijuana grow ops, such as risk of home invasions, health risks to children and possible chemical spills and calls for Health Canada to take "immediate action" to verify compliance with all laws and regulations.
The resolution will also be sent to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
The step is the latest the district is taking as it tries to respond to the opening of Taggs Medical Cannabis Dispensary in a house on 224th Street, south of Lougheed Highway, early this month.
The dispensary is operated by the newly-formed non-profit Always Growing Green Society, selling medical marijuana to those with permits from Health Canada or a doctor.
According to a municipal staff report, the "sudden appearance" of a compassion club is causing "great concern in this municipality," but notes that because it's run by a non-profit society, the district can't enforce its business licence bylaw.
Mayor Ernie Daykin said Health Canada was asking for evidence of the impact of the shop on Maple Ridge, such as the increased workload faced by the bylaws department, police or fire departments.
That's currently being compiled, but so far according to police and Maple Ridge bylaws, the house hasn't caused any complaints in the month it's been operating.
"In terms of complaints that we have received, I'm not aware of any," said bylaws director Brock McDonald, adding he'd have to check with staff.
He said if the house was causing a disruption in the neighbourhood, such as creating noise or garbage, "then something might come forward to us."
Even though the building is a house, it's currently in a commercial zone. "If it was a business, then the way the land is zoned currently, it would be a permitted use."
Ridge Meadows RCMP also do not report any complaints so far in the few weeks the house has been open.
"We're monitoring it, there's no doubt about it," a police spokesperson said.
Previously, Insp. Dave Walsh told council that technically, when marijuana is sold, it's trafficking. But he said he was waiting to hear from the Department of Justice on what, if any, enforcement action to take.
Cannabis compassion clubs like Taggs are not legal in Canada and are not part of the federal medical cannabis program. Their status is still under debate and law enforcement often turn a blind eye to their services as long as the dispensaries serve patients who have documentation.
The issue cropped up last year as well when Surrey asked that Health Canada require medicinal marijuana grow operations to follow all electrical, health, fire and safety regulations.
That prompted a response from Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, explaining that her department does not verify compliance by medicinal marijuana users. Those responsibilities are stated when the person gets the licence, she said.
However, the department is also looking at ways to improve the marijuana medical access program and is consulting with several public agencies.
After more than seven years of the program's operation, only 4,869 people in Canada have been authorized to possess the narcotic plant under Marijuana Medical Access Regulations.
Of those, only a select few (1,137 people in Canada) hold a personal use production licence, or designated-person production licence, from Health Canada — a permit that allows you to grow legal pot.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: BCLocalNews.com
Author: Phil Melnychuk
Copyright: 2010 BlackPress
