Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors remain undecided on regulations affecting cannabis commercial production, retail sales, personal use and medical marijuana in rural areas, but are pushing for bylaw amendments in advance of the Oct. 17 date of legalization.
Directors are getting closer to making amendments after comparing approaches by Squamish Lillooet Regional District and Comox Valley Regional District. During the discussion, Roberts Creek director Mark Lebbell brought forward a motion to “address neighbourhood production and retail concerns.”
The motion would prohibit the production and retail of commercial non-medical cannabis in residential and rural zones, allow existing facilities to claim legal non-conforming status, as well as provide definitions and opportunities for community consultation when deciding production locations.
He said retail and consumption aren’t major concerns as much as production; however, he did ask whether the existing bylaw provisions are strong enough to ensure that retail happens only in commercially zoned areas.
Ian Hall, general manager of planning and community development, said the scenario of retail outside of commercial zones seems very unlikely, since retail will be subject to provincial licensing, but did note the possibility of retail activities involving cannabis occurring outside commercial zones “is one of concern that staff are continuing to monitor.”
Chair Bruce Milne urged the rural area directors to take a “precautionary approach,” something he said the District of Sechelt has also done. “You can put a quick prohibition blanket in your bylaw that extends across every jurisdiction and we could get that through before October,” he said, “and then you can slowly open the door as needed.”
He also noted that a lack of regulation would be a concern for municipal areas, since dispensaries could potentially open along the borders of municipalities, “almost with impudence.”
Gibsons director Jeremy Valeriote echoed Milne’s concerns and acknowledged Gibsons is “a little behind,” but that the Town has put a moratorium on new licences for retail.
Halfmoon Bay director Garry Nohr said “aroma” is the biggest problem in his area and asked staff to consider it when they create recommendations for bylaw amendments.
Shíshálh Nation director Keith Julius said the band is following provincial guidelines. “I know there was interest in companies wanting to build up in our mall in Phase 3,” said Julius, but he said that won’t happen. He also said they have been discussing placing dispensaries in the Nation’s light industrial zones.
Directors voted to postpone addressing the motion until another committee meeting later this month.
Provisions have already been made in Bylaws 310 and 337 to allow for production facilities in Areas A, B, D, E and F.
