Changes to federal medical marijuana production rules will mean some adjustments for local government policy.
Under the new Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulation (MMPR) effective April 1, 2014, production will have to take place in federally certified operations as opposed to in private homes.
On Thursday, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors approved the preparation of land use bylaws to regulate where these facilities can go, specifically agricultural and industrial areas.
These facilities already qualify as a farm use under the Agricultural Land Commission Act and are allowed in the Agricultural Land Reserve. They are also permitted as an agriculture use in the majority of the areas covered by the regional district's zoning bylaw.
"Because of the industrial nature, as well as likely security issues that are to be associated with the new production facilities, there is a potential for conflicts with other land uses," said a report by development services manager Terry McEachen. "The establishment of MMPR facilities within the Regional District would be an economic activity, as long as they are located appropriately to avoid detrimental impacts."
According to a report to the board, other municipalities have addressed the issue in a variety of ways. These include prohibiting the cultivation of medical marijuana as a use in any zoning area, triggering a rezoning application for any facility; permitting the use in the ALR only with specific setbacks; and allowing them in light, general and agricultural industrial zones.
