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Cannabis bylaws tabled until next meeting

A prospective recreation marijuana retailer told Black Diamond town council she is concerned she won’t be able to set up shop because of an initiative to curb crime.
Danielle French
Danielle French is hoping to set up a marijuana dispensary on Government Road in Black Diamond. Under proposed legislation, people would be able to purchase marijuana products at the location, but not consume them on the premises.

A prospective recreation marijuana retailer told Black Diamond town council she is concerned she won’t be able to set up shop because of an initiative to curb crime. “I was basically told straight out (by a Black Diamond representative) that we need to find another location, that it will not fit for the Town’s purposes,” said Danielle French, of Enlightened Herb Cannabis at a public hearing on July 4. “I was told that it was because of the CPTED regulations because our parking is in the back.” The hearing was concerning a land-use bylaw for cannabis retail shops. Marijuana is scheduled to be legal in Canada on Oct. 17. CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) is a multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal behavior through environmental design — such as proper lighting, trees not blocking sightlines, and other criteria. French said she did not understand why she cannot have parking in the back at her proposed location at 306 Government Road, while drug stores like Sandul’s Pharmacy in Black Diamond, do. “I am not disputing the CPTED principles, some of them do make common sense to me,” French said. “I can understand if those principles are considered in the development permit process, but I am concerned my location will be ineligible if they are proposed directly into the bylaws themselves.” The Black Diamond draft bylaw states cannabis stores “must incorporate crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles.” French, who grew up in Okotoks and uses cannabis for medicinal reasons, said communities such as Okotoks do not have CPTED directly in their cannabis land use bylaws. One resident spoke of her concern of the proposed site on Government Road, which is two doors down from her residence. “I live three blocks away from the bar and the liquor store, I have people passing out on the lawn already,” she said. “My concern is how much more of that will I have to tolerate… I don’t object to a store being in the community as long as it is around business not where there are people living.” Denice Stewart, Black Diamond development officer, told council marijuana stores in the community will initially go through the municipal planning commission. “This is a discretionary use,” said Denice Stewart, Black Diamond development officer. “It is my intent to have the applications go through the planning commission, until we get our feet wet and an understanding of the regulations. “I think from a community perspective that would be best.” Highlights of the draft bylaw include any cannabis stores must be at least 100 metres from a school and schoolyard (and any lands marked as school reserve) and a provincial health facility. As well, stores cannot be opened past 10 p.m. Council did fine-tune the bylaws at its July 4 meeting, but it was not passed. The bylaw is back on council’s July 18 agenda. Matt Martens, the pastor at Black Diamond Gospel Church, thanked council for their legwork, however he has concerns about having marijuana in the area. “I am concerned not only from the pastor prospective but from a dad’s prospective, Martens said. “I have three young daughters under the age of 18 and entering the high school there is already a lot of opportunity for drugs and alcohol. My concern is this will increase further access to those kind of things.” Martens added he does drug counselling in relation to his employment. “Those addictions concerns are not reducing, they are increasing, “ Martens said. “I am concerned that will increase this further.” He is also concerned about how any violations regarding marijuana will be policed once it is legal. Black Diamond resident Jeff Richardson said he has concerns of the pot smell wafting into his backyard. The public hearing on July 4 dealt with the land use bylaw. Council will look at other community standards bylaws — where marijuana can be smoked and other issues — at a later date. To see a copy of the draft bylaw go to town.blackdiamond.ab.ca  

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