Ontario’s Million-Dollar Battle Using your taxes Against Legal Cannabis
In a striking development in Ontario’s cannabis landscape, Oro-Medonte, a township northwest of Lake Simcoe near Barrie, has reportedly expended nearly a million dollars in its efforts to regulate legal cannabis. This revelation comes directly from Mayor Randy Greenlaw of Oro-Medonte.
Back in 2018, Oro-Medonte passed a bylaw prohibiting the use of agricultural or rural land for cannabis cultivation or related activities. This move was initially aimed at providing time for staff to study and develop zoning and regulatory strategies for cannabis production and sales.
However, the plot thickened in 2020 when the Council implemented another bylaw, now rescinded, that detailed specific zoning regulations for cannabis production and processing, including mandatory minimum distances from certain areas.
According to a report by Bradford Today, Mayor Greenlaw disclosed during a recent town hall that he had met with Steve Clark, the former Ontario housing minister, in April. During this meeting, they discussed cannabis regulations extensively.
The township has seen challenges from federally licensed commercial cannabis producers, particularly regarding an interim control bylaw perceived as inconsistent with provincial policy. While agreements were reached with two producers, Carmel Cannabis and Organibis, negotiations with Medical Saints, a hemp producer, did not bear fruit.
A lawyer representing Organibis commented earlier this year on the politically sensitive nature of cannabis in the township. He noted the ongoing stigma associated with cannabis and emphasized that planning decisions should not be influenced by such biases.
Mayor Greenlaw also mentioned consultations with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), reinforcing the stance that an agricultural crop is just that, irrespective of whether it’s wheat, hay, or cannabis – all are legal crops.
The federal licensing process for cannabis production mandates that applicants notify their local municipality. Municipalities have the authority to regulate the location of these facilities but cannot completely prohibit commercial production.
However, many Oro-Medonte residents have expressed discontent, particularly regarding the operations of Medical Saints’ hemp farm. Despite Mayor Greenlaw’s empathy towards these concerns, he stressed the limitations of his authority and the substantial financial burden already shouldered by the township, primarily funded by taxpayers.
“If anyone has a viable strategy to navigate from our current situation to an effective resolution, one that addresses the existing policies and legislation, I’m open to suggestions,” Mayor Greenlaw stated. “While the path forward isn’t clear to me, I’m committed to collaborating with our community to explore potential solutions.”
This situation mirrors similar challenges faced in British Columbia, where the Agricultural Land Commission has classified all cannabis production on land within the Agricultural Land Reserve as farm use, provided it is outdoor or does not adversely impact existing farmland.
