Cannabis regulations cleaned up ahead of legalization

The city’s planning committee has approved a recommendation to allow licensed marijuana grow-ops in the district around the Hamilton airport.

That was one of several amendments made to the city’s cannabisrelated regulations in preparation for the legalization of the drug next month by the federal government.

Under the amendments, any newly constructed marijuana growing or harvesting facility — or the expansion of an existing facility — will require odour, dust, light and traffic studies to be submitted as part of the approval process.

The one loophole, committee members learned from staff, is that if an existing greenhouse, for example, is converted to a grow operation but there’s no new development included, then the studies and amendments aren’t required.

In addition, the city will require cannabis growing and harvesting facilities in urban areas to be set back 150 metres from zone boundaries or existing sensitive land uses, such as residential, institutional and commercial areas.

Cannabis-related facilities already in use that are within the 150-metre setback zone can’t be grandfathered in to the new legislation and will require an amendment.

John Arien, representing the Green Organic Dutchman, argued against the 150-metre setback requirement, saying it will render the company’s approved facility a legal non-conforming use. That could cause the company issues down the road, he said.

“There are things in the bylaw that are really disincentives,” said Arien.

The amendments also replace the words “medical marijuana” with “cannabis” to reflect the new legal landscape.