Editor:
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is moving forward to permit Health Canada approved medical marijuana production facilities on properties of approximately 2.5 acres (one hectare) in Roberts Creek and Elphinstone. Although highly unlikely, that’s the potential for a lot of grow operations in the neighbourhood.
At a public hearing in March 2014, attendees indicated there is an overwhelming desire to change the zoning and have smaller medical marijuana facilities in Roberts Creek and Elphinstone. In fact, 100 per cent of the attendees supported zoning change to permit Health Canada approved operations.
It was also reported at this 2014 public hearing there are citizens who can’t afford the Health Canada produced medical marijuana or may want to supplement their income. The cost to build a fully licensed production facility is well into six figures and is Health Canada regulated — certainly not affordable for most residents!
Assuming the zoning changes are approved, what if you have concerns about your neighbour’s marijuana production facility application? If the applicant meets all the criteria of the application process, you’re out of luck. The solution is to put up with it or you can move!
Abuse of the old system and government mistakes with the new program have left Canada with a big mess, confusion and many unanswered questions.
Currently, there are numerous challenges in the court system with respect to the old and new medical marijuana production program. Nobody knows how these will play out.
The SCRD is concerned there will be future legal problems if they don’t go ahead with the zoning changes. What about the future legal and community problems if the zoning changes do go ahead?
Richard Austin, Halfmoon Bay
