Staff displayed a PowerPoint presentation providing a background on cannabis production in the Agricultural land Reserve (ALR).
Outlined potential impacts of cannabis production:
services and utilities - much higher demand
water - higher demand than most crop production
wastewater = effluent can contain contaminants
most ALR properties are on septic systems
Farm retail sales - zoning bylaw prohibits cannabis sales in farm retail sales use
Outlined regulatory options:
1. Allow all forms as per the ALC Act
2. Limit to soil based production
3. Require Council approval
Staff responded to questions from the Committee.
Staff confirmed that the regulations looking at being put into place would be specific to cannabis production versus farm products.
Moved by Dom option 3 seconded by Jeff Rickets Carried
Anedotal Comments:
Council consideration in future that it be preserved in the future for agricultural food production.
Encourage the potential to micro-cannabis production facilities.
Encourage cConcil to have strong bylaws and policies so there is clarity and consistency moving forward
Encourage site specific recommendation
Encourage Council to suipport the small micro cannabis facilities
Encourage Council to cprotect futre agrfdicultural production of the lands.