County residents wanting to apply to grow medical marijuana

Inquiries are being received by the county from people wanting to start up medical marijuana production facilities, and administration is seeking direction from county council on dealing with such applications. At the Dec. 17 council meeting, councillors expressed some concerns around security and these types of facilities.

CAO Bob Beck said the county has received three inquires, with the last one more serious as the applicant “may have decided on a particular lot in the county,” said Beck.

Beck’s report explained that a development permit was necessary for this type of intensive agricultural operation. It’s allowed as a discretionary use on lots over 18 acres in country residential areas and on all agricultural district property.

However, a Health Canada producer’s license would be needed before starting operations.

“We’ve had at least three inquiries in the last six months,” said Beck. “These things are looking for a home somewhere and all people want to know is, ‘Is this a jurisdiction that has already said no?’ And we don’t know that until we bring it to council.” For more see the Dec. 22/14 Mercury