Town sets pot legislation rules

Turner Valley council passed three of four bylaws Monday that will help the Town handle today’s legalization of cannabis. On Oct. 15, council approved amendments to its land use bylaw, community standards bylaw, business licence bylaw and passed second reading to its smoking and vaping bylaw. Among the conditions of the land use bylaw, which outlines rules around cannabis retail stores, which council approved, was allowing stores within 100 metres from school and health care sites. At a public hearing, resident Greg Pyra suggested the 100 metre setback be expanded to 250 metres. “I’m concerned about young people selling drugs and getting into a drug lifestyle,” he said. “I think if it’s going to be legalized then we should do it in a regulated manner.” Coun. Cindy Holladay said a 150 metre setback would be adequate, and suggested the Sheep River Library be included, which would prohibit cannabis stores on Main Street north of the four-way stop. “I feel it normalizes cannabis use having businesses on Main Street,” she said. “That whole downtown area is frequented by youth.” Coun. Garry Raab argued a 150 metre setback shows Turner Valley is not open for business. “We have a small area where we have the opportunity for businesses,” he said. “It’s not being business friendly at all.” Coun. Barry Crane said the Town can reduce the distance in the future. “If we lock it down at 100 metres now we have to fight our way back,” he said. “We can adjust this document down the road. I’m all about the youth and what’s going to set an example for the youth. I’m fine with not having five weed stores in town.” Council ultimately agreed to maintain the 100 metre setback from school and health care sites. Council also approved amendments to its community standards bylaw to include a nuisance section regarding cannabis odours and penalties associated with that. Gerry Melenka, planning and development co-ordinator, said it’s up to the Town’s bylaw officers to decide how to handle nuisance complaints. “There isn’t going to be an exact science to this,” he said. Council passed second reading on the Town’s new smoking and vaping bylaw, which allows smoking and vaping of tobacco and cannabis on public streets and sidewalks and further than five metres from public doors, windows and intakes and 10 metres from unique facilities. Some councillors expressed a desire to ban cannabis use in all public places, and requested Melenka to return to council with a new draft of the bylaw at its Nov. 5 meeting. “Cannabis is an intoxicant,” said Holladay. “It’s not something we want to normalize.” A public online survey reveals the majority of residents want cannabis use restricted at the pool, spray park, playgrounds, library and community centre, with most facilities receiving a vote of more than 90 per cent. Sixty per cent of those surveyed stated cannabis should be allowed in designated areas at special events. Crane said the survey is a clear indicator the public doesn’t want cannabis smoked downtown. “I’m in favour of a pubic ban,” he said. “Let time tell how it plays out and we can relax things later if we want to.” Lana Hamilton said she doesn’t support a full-out ban, saying that’s not what the majority of those surveyed asked for. “It’s important that we take the public input into consideration,” she said. Coun. John Waring agreed, saying smoking and vaping cannabis should be allowed in designated areas at special events. “Where you can drink you should be able to smoke and vape,” he said. “Treat it the same as alcohol.” Details of the bylaws are available at turnervalley.ca