When it comes to producing medicinal marijuana, city council doesn't want it happening in someone's backyard.
In response to new federal legislation regarding the production of medicinal marijuana on a larger scale by private entities this past summer, the city is using rezoning bylaws to allow for council and the public to have a say when it comes to any facility trying to call Burnaby home.
At Monday night's meeting, council decided to make a bylaw change that would allow the production, finishing, packaging, warehousing or distribution of medicinal marijuana in a manufacturing or industrial zone.
This means any medicinal marijuana facility trying to set up shop in the city would require rezoning and public consultation.
"The proposed changes would ensure that this use is only permitted in industrial settings, based on specific approval, through rezoning, of a suitable plan of development," Lou Pelletier, director of planning and building, states in his report.
On Sept. 30, council asked staff to review the new federal licensing system, which is still underway. In the mean time, staff have recommended an interim measure of preparing a bylaw that would "ensure full review by the city of any proposals for the establishment of these larger commercial facilities in Burnaby," Pelletier states in his report.
The new federal system fundamentally changes the nature of medicinal marijuana production across the country, according to Pelletier. Before, it was grown either by the government or by individuals growing for themselves and no more than two licensed customers.
Now, private companies on a large scale will get to grow and sell to an unlimited number of authorized clientele.
At the Nov. 4 meeting, councillors expressed their concerns over large production facilities potentially coming to Burnaby and how the city can better control it.
"I hope at least in this city we get a handle on this because the reality is the federal government is slowly marching towards the legalization of marijuana, like it or not, regardless of what your position may be on this issue," Coun. Nick Volkow said.
Volkow also noted the city is usually in the dark when its comes to medicinal marijuana facilities and that "Health Canada in particular has not been very helpful."
Coun. Paul McDonell said the city will have to be vigilant going forward as the concern is gangs making profit on it, unchecked.
"Who owns these licenses?" he asked. "That's where the money is. I want to see a change. That'll be a concern is how we do we police this thing?
"I see a huge problem coming."
Mayor Derek Corrigan said big corporations would most likely operate the larger facilities.
"I think they're (Health Canada) probably taking it out of the hands of small merchants and putting it in the hands of big corporations, which is sometimes a different sort of gang," he added.
There are a few marijuana dispensary applications currently floating in the grey area in Burnaby. One marijuana dispensary in Metrotown was raided and subsequently closed in the summer of 2011. It later reopened as a hemp shop.
In 2012, Corrigan said he supported the legalization of marijuana so it can be taxed and regulated.
Backgrounder:
Health Canada regulates medicinal marijuana production and the current regulatory system is transitioning fro the Marijuana Medical Access Program to the recently enacted Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations.
The new program came into effect on June 7 and on Oct. 1, Health Canada stopped accepting applications for new production licenses. By March 31, all licenses will expire and the old program will end.
"Given the larger scale of production allowed under the program, facilities authorized under the (new system) are more closely regulated and subject to numerous requirements regarding security, site design, quality assurance and record keeping," Pelletier states in the report. "In addition, distribution under the (new) program can only be accomplished through direct shipment to a client or their physician; no storefront or dispensary distribution is allowed."
