Badawey ‘livid’ over pot greenhouse

Vance Badawey recalls arguing against a proposed medical marijuana greenhouse on Pinecrest Road back when he was Port Colborne’s mayor.

Now as Niagara Centre’s MP, Badawey feels he’s in a better position to deal with the issue that city council was then powerless to prevent.

At the time, he said was concerned about the impact growing medical marijuana could have on the residential properties surrounding the greenhouse, and suggested it would be better suited to an industrial property.

However, because the greenhouse land was already zoned agricultural, the city’s hands were tied.

The medical marijuana facility on the city’s rural east side, formerly operated as Muileboom Greenhouse, was the scene of a violent robbery Sept. 19 in which two people were held at gunpoint.

“I’m somewhat livid over it,” Badawey said about what has transpired.

“A lot of what I said back in 2014 when I was the mayor has now come true, and I’m absolutely beside myself about it,” he said.

Five suspects from the Toronto area were arrested by police for the greenhouse robbery, but five more believed to be armed are still at large.

During an ensuing investigation, police said they found 3,400 plants growing in the greenhouse — about 3,000 more than it is permitted to grow under three Health Canada licences it was operating by.

Police said charges could be laid, but they have yet to make any arrests related to exceeding production limits.

Although legislation came into effect on March 31, 2014, that stringently regulates the operation of medical marijuana growing facilities, including requiring regular inspections and security precautions, older facilities — including the greenhouse in Port Colborne — were grandfathered and continued to operate under old rules.

As such, Badawey is trying to ascertain just how stringently facilities of that kind are regulated.

“Who’s inspecting, who’s enforcing, and I want it in writing. That way I can hold someone to account on this.”

Badawey said that information is being sent to his office and once it arrives he plans to meet with Port Colborne Mayor John Maloney as well as Niagara Regional Police to ensure people responsible for medical marijuana facilities “are being held to account.”

“That’s quite frankly what I’m dealing with right now,” he said.

“I have a dialogue right now with Health Canada, I have a dialogue with the minister herself, Jane Philpott, as well as the Niagara Regional Police.”

In addition to concerns in the community regarding the robbery, Badawey is also concerned about the allegations the facility was growing about $1.5-million worth of marijuana more than its licences allowed.

It’s something Badawey said he can’t discuss because it’s still under investigation, “but let’s just say that what comes out of the investigation, if appropriate, will be legal consequences.”

A lot of what I said back in 2014 when I was the mayor has now come true, and I’m absolutely beside myself about it.” Vance Badawey