There’s not much Delta can do when it comes to odours from greenhouses growing marijuana unless the federal government takes action.
That was the response from Wes Shoemaker, the province’s deputy agriculture minister, to concerns raised by the city regarding smells from cannabis cultivation under glass.
In a recent letter to Delta council, Shoemaker noted that amendments to the Agricultural Land Reserve regulations last summer stipulate local governments can prohibit cannabis production unless grown lawfully in an open field, in a structure that is entirely soil-based or in an existing structure that was either constructed or under construction prior to the amendments. Local governments continue to have the ability to regulate or prohibit cannabis production on land outside the ALR.
“Regarding the odour complaints that you have identified, it is important to acknowledge that odour related to cannabis production is under the jurisdiction of the federal government,” Shoemaker explains.
The federal regulation states a building where cannabis is produced must be equipped with a system that filters air to prevent the escape of odours. Shoemaker told council the province is waiting for further information as to how and to what extent the federal government will manage compliance and enforcement with regards to odour.
He encouraged Delta to follow up with Health Canada to request further information on compliance and enforcement.
In a recent interview, Mayor George Harvie said it was ridiculous that cannabis operations in industrial zones have strict odour control measures required by the federal government but there’s nothing similar for farmland operations.
Harvie and a delegation of civic officials will discuss the issue with federal officials during a visit to Ottawa next month.
