Some B.C. municipalities are “scrambling” after the provincial government clarified that all cannabis production is a permitted farm use in the Agriculture Land Reserve.
The small wording change contained in an information bulletin released by the Agricultural Land Commission in early May means the ALC will no longer consider applications from companies hoping to grow cannabis, forcing local governments to assume that responsibility.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities was caught “flat-footed” by the change, which took effect in February, but only recently came to light, said UBCM president Arjun Singh.
“The change happened, but no one caught it,” said the Kamloops city councillor. “So there’s been a gap in terms of regulation. Local communities are scrambling to put bylaws in place, but that will take time.”
Singh fired off a letter to Forests Minister Doug Donaldson on Wednesday, asking for the rationale behind the change and the lack of consultation.
Read more at vancouversun.com
