New legislation outlining where medical marijuana operations can be set up will be passed around for public input.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board members passed the first two readings and authorized a public hearing on a zoning bylaw restricting the location of new weed production facilities.
Under the federal government's new Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulation, production facilities licensed by Health Canada would be allowed in the same areas as other intensive agricultural uses and kept out of areas zoned as residential.
"The use would be added to only the rural larger parcel zones and only permitted on parcels of 16 ha (40 acres) or more," said a report from Terry McEachen, regional district's general development manager.
With Health Canada having a "spotty record" in regards to enforcement, the regional district needs to be proactive, said Coun. Dave Wilbur. "This may not be a perfect zoning... at this time, but at least it limits the opportunity for Health Canada to put in these operations."
Area F director Kevin Dunphy said he thought the restriction as it's currently proposed is too extreme and that the smell coming off of a marijuana facility wouldn't be any worse than those emitted from a pig or cattle farm.
"I don't really believe we have to look at a 40-acre size property. Ten acres is probably more than sufficient to provide this opportunity," Dunphy said.
A public hearing date has not yet been set.
