Belleville Councillor Mitch Panciuk questions lawyer Greg Parker representing the company proposing a marijuana research project, at city council, April 9, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
A proposal to establish a medical marijuana research and development facility in Belleville hit a wall at Belleville city council Monday night.
It took a full 90, many circles round the council table, a number of motions and amendments to scuttle approval of rezoning as recommended by the city’s Planning Committee.
The issue centred around a change from the developer in the project as proposed at the committee level. The change involved allowing the growing of 10 marijuana plants on the Sidney Street site.
Councillor Mitch Panciuk questioned the numbered company’s lawyer Greg Parker on the proposal. Panciuk said there would be as many as 25 jobs and there would be a Holding symbol on the proposal until final approvals.
Councillor Jack Miller called for a two week pause for clarification.
He was concerned about changes to the motions.
#2 JACK POT
Belleville Councillor Jackie Denyes at city council, April; 9, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Councillor Jackie Denyes expressed concern about the change being brought to council. She said, “Council needs to be cautious.”
The proposal at the committee level indicated all the the pot would be delivered in security vans but the presentation to council differed, indicating there would be some growing of the plants on-site.
Councillor Egerton Boyce noted that when the federal legislation kicks in people could have neighbours beside them who can grow as many as four plants. “And how secure are they going to be?” he asked.
The proposal from the Planning Committee went down to defeat on a tied motion, with Councillor Garnet Thompson declaring a conflict.
