Elliot Lake Mayor Dan Marchisella put a notice of motion on the table for discussion with council members dealing with self-regulating the growth of domestic marijuana on private property.
The motion deals with some specifics of harvesting and growing marijuana on private property, such as the number of plants, limited to four, and how to make the policy enforceable.
City Clerk Natalie Bray says the policy could be enforceable as part of a bylaw and with the support and enforcement of both bylaw officers and police.
Marchisella wants the policy in place because both the feds and the province is putting the responsibility on municipalities to regulate the growth of what is termed ‘domestic marijuana’.
Marchisella says it does not make any difference whether someone wants to grow marijuana, but there has to be protections in place to prevent its growth near areas such as schools or playgrounds, and proper fencing in place to prevent access by children.
Staff will work to have the necessary bylaw and other documentation ready for council’s review within the next six to eight weeks.
