Milk River passes land use bylaw to allow for medical marijuana facility

A medical marijuana production facility is looking into the possibility of being built in the southern Alberta town of Milk River.

A public hearing was held at the town hall building Monday evening, looking at changing a land zoning bylaw for the proposed facility.

Ultimately, during the regular town council meeting that followed, town council passed all three readings of the bylaw, and the land use designation was changed.

Green Living Agriculture Company Ltd. is looking to build it on the northeast part of town, right next door to the water reservoirs.

President Joe Sheldrake said Milk River is not the only community the company is looking into, however, it is a very appealing municipality.

“The mayor and council are very progressive and we both felt that coming to a place like Milk River is great because of the slow down in the oil patch and we are bringing jobs, and they were very receptive to all of that,” Sheldrake said. “This town has great services and so far we’ve had a really great reception.”

Sheldrake expressed to concerned residents Monday that the facility, if approved, would have strict security and absolutely no access to the public.

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Residents packed the room with mixed feelings as town council did its best to answer any questions they had.

Ruth Crapo said she has a few major concerns if the facility is brought to the town, one being the proximity of the proposed facility to the town’s two schools, and secondly, its effects on the neighbouring water reservoir.

“It’s a special little town… and I’m just really afraid if we get to having this medical marijuana, or marijuana in any form in our community, that it’s going to be like a can of worms, and they come out, there’s problems, and you can’t put the lid on them again,” Crapo said. “I think we’re going to have problems that we never imagined.”

Some spoke in favour of bringing the business to town to promote job creation, and the possible benefits of cashing in on tax dollars.

Mayor David Hawco said all residents should keep in mind that the meeting was only about changing the land use bylaw for the piece of land so that it can be specified to include a medical marijuana production facility.

While many residents voiced their support and opposition for the facility, Hawco said town council is taking every opinion into consideration before making a decision on the next step.

“Whether you agree or disagree with whatever the proposal is we want to listen to what you have to say,” Hawco said. “So that we as your elected officials can make an informed decision that is best for the town.”

Watch Global News Lethbridge at 5 pm on Sept. 13, 2016 for a full look at the meeting and what’s next for the proposed facility. 

Editor’s note: This story was originally published Sept. 12 and was updated Sept. 13 with information that the land use designation was changed.