Northern Bruce Peninsula is going to consider adopting a policy to allow for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis in the municipality.
This potential policy, which would be adopted in January, comes after the federal government allowed access to cannabis for medicinal purposes in 2001, before later legalizing the drug 2018.
Municipal Clerk Cathy Addison says the municipality endorses the establishment of licensed indoor medicinal cannabis production facilities approved by Health Canada.
“Municipalities reserve the right to regulate the placement and site requirements for these facilities through their zoning bylaws and site plan approval,” says Addison. “The cultivation of cannabis is not currently permitted in any land zones within the municipality, necessitating a zoning by-law amendment to allow controlled indoor production of medicinal cannabis as a special use.”
Any proposed cannabis cultivation facility will need to establish a site plan agreement, with the municipality looking at the impact on surrounding property owners and the community.
By implementing a cannabis cultivation policy, the municipality will be able to regulate lighting, noise, odour, and traffic management around the facility.
A report from Addison does not say if any medicinal cannabis cultivation companies have expressed interest in setting up shop in the municipality.
Council will consider this policy during its meeting on Dec. 9.