Rocky View County (RVC) will host an open house March 5 to discuss proposed amendments to the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) relating to federally regulated Licensed Medical Marijuana Production Facilities.
RVC planner Matthew Wilson said the intention of the open house is to provide residents with information about the amendments.
The county is proposing eight changes to the LUB, including making a noted difference between a greenhouse and a Licensed Medical Marijuana Production Facility.
“Copies of the proposed amendments will be available and we will have some basic display boards giving information about the intended effect of the amendments,” said Wilson, adding no formal presentation is planned at this time.
Councillor Lois Habberfield brought a notice of motion to council in November 2013 to make changes to the LUB as it currently doesn’t make reference to medical marijuana operations. After an administration report presented to council for discussion Nov. 26, 2013, council directed the county to prepare suggested amendments.
Medical marijuana has been federally regulated since its introduction in 2011 under Health Canada’s Marijuana Medical Access Program (MMAP). Through the program, individuals can apply for permits to produce marijuana at home for medical uses.
However, in June 2013, the province announced new regulations – the Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) - would become effective this year to limit medical marijuana production to licensed producers. The MMRP and MMAP are running concurrently until March 31.
Habberfield said it’s important to have the county’s bylaws reflective of federal regulations before that time.
Wilson said several county staff members would be available at the open house to answer questions as people review the materials. He added people could also make written submissions to council about their opinion of the proposed amendments, which will be presented to council during the public hearing scheduled for March 25.
The open house will take place at the county municipal office in Calgary from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The proposed amendments can be found at rockyview.ca.
