Chatham-Kent has several properties with the proper zoning to house a medical marijuana facility, but none have yet to be built.
An application for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit a medical marijuana facility to operate at 715 Richmond St. in Chatham, is slated to be on Monday’s planning agenda for municipal council to consider. The site, currently zoned general industrial, is just over 12 acres in size and includes a 196,450-square-foot vacant industrial building.
Municipal planner Ryan Jacques said if this zoning bylaw amendment is passed, it would be the seventh property in the municipality to be zoned for medical marijuana use.
He added it would be the second property by the applicant, AgriMed Botanicals, to have zoning permission to operate a medical marijuana facility in Chatham-Kent.
Jacques said it is his understanding the two sites would operate under separate licences, but have the same management.
However, having the proper zoning is only one step to obtain a licence to operate a medical marijuana facility, he said.
These facilities are regulated through the federal government by Health Canada and licences are only issued once all regulatory requirements are met, Jacques said.
It takes several years, if you’re successful, even to obtain permission to go forward to construct, he added.
Jacques said the company has permission to construct a facility at another location in Chatham-Kent. But he added even after it is built, the company will have to go through additional clearances and checks before ultimately being granted a licence to grow marijuana.
Jacques said each application undergoes a very detailed assessment including security checks led by the RCMP.
These sites are very secure, he said, adding they do not produce smell and there’s no outdoor storage.
The application coming before council on Monday has raised no objections from Chatham-Kent police or fire, according to the report.
Jacques said one of the economic benefits of the medical marijuana industry is it provides an opportunity to bring high-skilled jobs to the community.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Lengthy Process To Obtain Permission To Construct Medical Marijuana Facility
Author: Ellwood Shreve
Contact: 519-354-2000
Photo Credit: Ellwood Shreve
Website: Chatham Daily News
