FILE PHOTO: Hasia Glaim at MMJ Total Health Care on 31 Street downtown Vernon.
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
February 14, 2017 - 8:00 PM
WEST KELOWNA – Frustration over the federal government’s lack of leadership when it comes to marijuana legalization was evident at a West Kelowna council meeting today, Feb. 14.
Councilors gave the public a first look at new zoning bylaw amendments that will regulate how commercial medical marijuana is grown and managed Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Council voted unanimously to give the amendments first reading, addressing issues like odor filtration and security. Should second reading pass the public will have their chance to bring their concerns to council at a public hearing.
Mayor Doug Findlater admitted it was entirely possible that by the time the hearing came around, the climate surrounding marijuana could change entirely.
Coun. Duane Orphus calls the federal government’s lack of leadership on this subject “disconcerting” and that it is “costing the city “a lot of money.”
General manager of development services Nancy Henderson says while the impending legalization is encouraging some innovative ideas from residents, the sheer number of inquiries is “resulting in a lot of staff time being consumed.”
The issue has become so complex that last week the city asked the RCMP to issue a statement reminding owners and employees of marijuana dispensaries that they could be arrested for drug trafficking.
Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says in an email statement that no enforcement action has been taken by the West Kelowna RCMP or the Kelowna RCMP since the statement was issued.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017