Kingsville will study pot-growing complaints
Some Kingsville residents are raising a stink about their neighbours growing pot.
Town administrators are expected to report back next month and clarify the municipality’s role with complaints from those who reside close to someone who holds a licence to grow medical marijuana.
Kingsville Coun. Larry Patterson brought a neighbourhood complaint to council at a meeting on Monday night. He supports the use of medical marijuana, but said there are concerns over the smell and disposal of waste from the plants.
There are currently a handful of licence holders allowed to grow their own medical marijuana throughout the town, although the town does not know the exact number because of confidentiality.
The complaints Patterson received are from residents in a subdivision where the homes are all in proximity, he said.
“We are not sure if there is a setback distance,” he said. “The odour does drift and some people don’t want that in a residential neighbourhood. The waste product is being put on the roadside curb.”
Administration will study the town’s bylaws to determine its legal responsibilities and turn to Health Canada for more information, said Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos.
“There have been some concerns in a neighbourhood with an individual licensed by the federal government for medical marijuana,” he said. “It gets into the area of what kind of waste and how it is disposed. That’s kind of unknown for us.
“It’s a bit of an educational piece. Do property standards come into play? We have questions and (administration) will come back to us in a report so that we have a better understanding of Health Canada and the guidelines.”
Santos expects the council report will “tell us what is in our jurisdiction and what is outside.”
With talk of the federal government legalizing the use of recreational marijuana by July 2018, Patterson said: “I can’t see how they can allow that to happen without precautions put in place.
“Odour has to be controlled and disposing of plants (waste materials) done properly,” he said.
“There are residential areas where they are having concerns. We need to look at this so everything is not in a grey area.”
He wants to see a middle ground for those holding a licence to grow and residents who live in proximity, Patterson said.
“We want to make sure we come up with something where everybody can work together and resolve the issues,” he said. “When we make decisions, we want to be fair for everyone.”
Leamington Mayor John Paterson said there have not been any complaints in his town either about any individual or the primary commercial operation, Aphria, which is near populated areas.
He said there were some initial complaints on Aphria, “but they have been very conscientious and took necessary steps. We haven’t heard any complaints since.”