Last week as part of the Small Urban GTHA Mayor’s meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, I posed an important question regarding some of the loopholes in the Cannabis legislation that has caused problems for municipalities, confusion over what’s legal & created an avenue for criminals to fund the illicit weed market and organized crime.
My question to the PM.
“We have significant issues with the Production of Cannabis licensing under the MMAR, Cannabis Act and the Own Medical Purposes Designated Producer Program within the rural areas of our municipalities in Whitchurch-Stouffville & neighbouring Uxbridge.
Health Canada has licensed these programs that have unintentionally created large cannabis production facilities that are unknown to local municipalities and law enforcement, more often than not do not follow any municipal bylaws and have become a back door for supporting organized crime and the illicit cannabis market.
Police and municipalities are not made aware of these facilities until we receive complaints from residents. First responders are usually Bylaw and Building officials. Law enforcement are brought in after it is determined that overgrowing is occurring.
One facility in Uxbridge had a permit for 1023 plants indoors (for personal use) but exceeded their Health Canada licence by 10X. One facility in Whitchurch-Stouffville has 4 combined licences under the MMAR for 1752 plants and 4 combines licences under the Cannabis Act for another 1560 plants but was busted by YRP for overgrowing under Operation Green Sweep.
This issue is common across Ontario in rural municipalities. We need to gain additional compliance in 2021 but we need your support.
Our ask:
Share information. It is imperative for local bylaw departments and police departments to be informed of locations of grow facilities and number of plants permitted by Health Canada
Limit size of personal grow op to 150 plants for 10-25 acres.
Revoke MMAR & Cannabis Act licences if law enforcement discovers any illegal activity.
Revoke all MMAR licences completely and govern under Cannabis Act only.
Impose stricter restrictions licensees & operators- they must be held accountable.
Back up articles.
https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2020/11/05/durham-cops-chastise-federal-government-after-seizing-more-than-50m-in-pot-plants-in-raids.html https://www.cp24.com/news/york-police-seize-roughly-150-million-worth-of-illegal-pot-firearms-and-exotic-animals-in-drug-bust-1.5165848?cache=%3FclipId%3D89531%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue
PM Trudeau acknowledged the communication problem and committed to seeking a way to get municipalities the information they need from Health Canada. YRP & Town Bylaw staff will be making a presentation to the York Region Liberal Caucus at the Town’s request in the near future and I invited the PM to attend to hear directly from YRP officers & our Bylaw staff about the problems that exist and who are dealing directly with issues at hand. This same presentation will be made at a future council meeting for council, staff and the public.
