Surrey - The Editor, Re: "Delta to ban medical marijuana business," the Now, Jan. 9. It is extremely frustrating to read an article where Delta council appears to be attempting to redefine what nature consists of by condemning greenhouse growing of medical marijuana as inappropriate.
Health Canada has specifically allowed for the greenhouse growing of this crop in its regulations with the understanding that it is the healthiest, cheapest and lowest carbon footprint available, given that outdoor growing is not permitted.
Furthermore, this medicine should be grown in a safe manner on agricultural land away from residential and industrial areas. The reason indoor growing became the norm has been due to the illicit nature of cannabis and not because it is the preferred growth environment.
Interestingly, Washington State allows for greenhouse growing in its legalized programme.
However, it seems this council knows best and we suspect that Delta could encounter a legal challenge from someone under the Right to Farm Act.
Furthermore, medical marijuana has a 5,000-year global history and patients deserve support to obtain cheap, healthy access to medicine in a supportive and safe environment.
Unfortunately, that does not seem to be a priority for this council.
David Hutchinson
Surrey