No weed in this garden

Community garden gets green light from Kensington council, with stipulation

The Town of Kensington has agreed to allow a community garden on a piece of publically owned property – but no marijuana is allowed.

Local resident Jamie MacKay approached the town and asked for permission to set up a community garden on land adjacent to the local rink, Community Gardens Complex, off Garden Drive, but council felt that an empty lot at 27 School St. would be more appropriate. After some discussion with MacKay, an Agreement of Use document was drafted for the latter. The document outlines the rules gardeners will have to follow, such as keeping the site tidy and refraining from using non-organic pesticides.

There is also a provision that specifically says there shall be no growing of marijuana at the site so long as it remains a community garden. It also says “other similar type plants” won’t be allowed.

Geoff Baker, Kensington’s chief administrative officer, told council that the original agreement forwarded to MacKay didn’t include that proviso, but he returned it and requested that it be included. “So if anyone makes the request to him, he has the ability to say no,” said Baker.

July 1 is the target date set for marijuana to become legal in Canada.

The federal government has said it will allow people of legal age to grow up to four plants per household for personal use.