One of Delta’s big concerns about the legalization of recreational cannabis could be appeased by the federal government, but it remains to be seen if the B.C. government would be even interested.
A Senate committee last week passed a series of amendments to the government’s cannabis legalization bill, including one that would allow provinces to ban home grown marijuana.
The City of Delta has been stating its opposition to personal home cultivation, citing concerns including youth/child access, health and safety issues relating to mold and electrical hazards, as well as the potential for home invasions and supply to the black market.
“With cannabis being made legally available through retail outlets, there is no longer a need for home cultivation, for medical purposes or otherwise,” a recent report to council states.
Police Chief Neil Dubord at the Delta Chamber of Commerce this spring talked about some of the policing concerns associated with legalizing recreational pot including a potential increase in so-called “grow rips.” Dubord also noted it will be extremely difficult to monitor and enforce home operations that are growing more than what is permissible.
Earlier this year, the B.C. government announced it will allow adults to grow up to four cannabis plants per household but plants must not be visible from public spaces off the property. Home cultivation of non-medical cannabis will be banned in dwellings used as daycares, while landlords and strata councils will be able to restrict or prohibit home cultivation.
The province hasn’t given any indication it would take advantage of any power offered by the feds to ban home cultivation.
The Senate committee’s amended version of the legalization bill will go back to the Senate as a whole for a decision by June 7, paving the way for the government to legalize pot by late summer.
