POT DISPENSARIES ADDRESSED

An amendment to Langley Township's zoning bylaw introduced at
council's April 18 meeting addresses for the first time medical
marijuana dispensaries.

Mark Neill, the Township's manager of development planning, explained
that although the document underwent a review in 2007, it did not make
provision for medical marijuana dispensaries.

The amendment is to specifically exclude them from commercial
zones.

The amendment defines medical marijuana dispensaries as the use of any
premises to sell, distribute or trade the drug, unless allowed under
federal marijuana medical access regulations.

This, Neill told council, "is a federally regulated
item."

Administrator Mark Bakken advised that the Township has received
several inquiries about business licences, and the amendment to the
zoning bylaw "would strengthen our position that this is a
non-permitted use, by specifically stating they are not permitted."

The zoning bylaw, a document which consolidates all the Township's
zoning laws, was adopted in 1987. The amendments will require a public
hearing.