With recreational marijuana set to be legal in Canada by this Oct. 17, 91原创 City and Township are still waiting to see what measures they鈥檒l need to take.
Although Ottawa has voted to legalize recreational pot, it is the province that will have to set guidelines for sales and distribution, and local municipal governments that will have to deal with details on zoning and business licenses for any new stores that want to open.
鈥淭he legislation, the requirements are still very much fluid,鈥� said Francis Cheung, administrator for 91原创 City.
City staff and the council are still receiving information and, once concrete regulations appear, they鈥檒l get down to the business of crafting more detailed rules.
One area the City will have to look at is zoning.
鈥淲here are the community retail cannabis stores going to be located?鈥� said Cheung.
Hand in hand with that goes business licensing.
91原创 Township is also considering its options, and may need new rules, said Ramin Seifi, general manager of community development.
鈥淥ur current bylaw framework鈥� does not provide for such operations, in other words cannabis retail operations, anywhere,鈥� Seifi said.
A prospective cannabis store operator could ask for a rezoning, but it would have to be granted on a case-by-case basis right now, Seifi said.
鈥淲e are awaiting provincial regulations to come in as well,鈥� Seifi said. 鈥淲henever they come into effect, we can then decide how we wish to proceed.鈥�
The City is also considering the impact of home grown pot. The federal regulations allow up to four plants to be grown at home for personal use.
鈥淲hat about concern about mould?鈥� Cheung said. What plumbing and fire safety issues could home cultivation raise, he asked.
Then there are amendments to smoking bylaws that could be made, to restrict smoking marijuana near playgrounds or other areas where children gather.
The public and other government agencies will be partners in some of these changes. A public hearing will be held if there is an amended zoning bylaw, and the ministry of health will need to approve anti-smoking rules, Cheung said.
It will be up to local governments whether to amend the laws in advance of the date of legalization, or to wait until after October 17.
