Rodney Potapoff brought his proposal for a medical marijuana dispensary application within Nakusp to the April 8 council meeting. With him, he also brought copies of the 27-page document outlining regulations for licensed grow ops, and it was clear that he had done his research.
Changes to the medical marijuana by Health Canada mean the end to government producers and home growers. Under the new rules, only companies that meet strict security requirements will be eligible to be licensed producers.
Mr. Potapoff has been in communication with Health Canada researching the new requirements for his proposed medical marijuana company “Delta Nine” and brought copies of the new guidelines to council. Potapoff told council there is a system of “constant monitoring” by Health Canada.
“This time next year [Health Canada] want us in full-time production, with all security in place,” Potapoff told council, who also said he was considering the old firehall as a potential site for the business.
Councillor Ulli Mueller remarked that other councils looking at grow ops in other municipalities have considered placing them in industrial or agricultural areas due to the smell involved in production. Potapoff replied that filters could be used to mitigate the smell.
The security checks for every person involved in medical marijuana are rigorous, Potapoff told council, who is currently going through an extensive background check himself.
Counc. Guy Duchaine brought up the issue of security, and Potapoff pointed out the security requirements of the production site itself are also very stringent. Potapoff said one of the reasons he would like to have the facility in town so there would be less likelihood of criminal activity and faster response by police.
Counc. Mueller asked how many jobs would the business create for the town, and Potapoff started with a conservative estimate of four, but said the possibilities are much larger.
Mueller also mentioned there are already companies running under the new licenses in the Okanagan.
In response to Potapoff’s request for a letter of intent from the Village, Mayor Karen Hamling said the council would have to have a report from staff advising council how to move forward if they are interested.
