Cannabis concerns grow in Lambton County

Plympton-Wyoming is going to take a look at what it can do to protect residents from some of the adverse affects – especially smell – of cannabis production.
At the Jan. 9 meeting, councillors asked staff to take a look at the approaches other municipalities are taking when a cannabis operation comes to town.
“We have nothing in place now,” says Planner Sarah Baldwin, “and I have been talking with the county about bring bylaws forward but there has been no direction from the province on it…Municipalities are trying to tread carefully on it because it is a federal issue.”
Some municipalities, says Baldwin, have put in interim control bylaws to stop development until some rules are in place.
Councillor Tim Wilkins asked staff to come back with a report on what might be done.
Councillor Netty McEwen agreed. “If we don’t want the stinking factories in her, I think we should do something.”
Lambton County politicians are also concerned about the issue.
On Jan. 15, a committee of council agreed there should be minimum distance standards for cannabis operations, similar to livestock operations.
“This is an emerging issue across the province. It’s a wise thing to do. We have all sorts of minimum standards in planning…to keep all standards the same across the province,” says Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.
County council will look at the issue at the Feb. 5 meeting.