Newmarket staff will consult public on medical marijuana

Newmarket Era
April 28, 2014
By Chris Simon

Multiple businesses have contacted Newmarket staff in hope of setting up medical marijuana production facilities within the municipality.

In response, town councillors may ask staff to begin a public consultation process on the issue. If the council resolution is passed next week, staff would explore the feasibility of amending municipal zoning bylaws to permit the operation of marijuana production facilities.

"In response to enquiries from businesses wishing to establish in Newmarket, planning staff have reviewed the lists of permitted uses, definitions and provisions from our current zoning bylaws," town planner Meghan White said in a report to councillors. "It is our interpretation that the commercial production of medical marijuana is not permitted in any of the zones."

The consultation would include an open house and formal meeting.

Following that process, staff would prepare a comprehensive report on the issue.

That report could recommend a cap on the number of producers permitted within town, place restrictions on location, or set limits on facility size or signage, she said.