Is it just us, or is anyone else scratching their heads over how Rocky View County (RVC) council could so thoroughly mishandle the Balzac medical marijuana facility application? Let’s break this down, council passed first and second readings for the application July 24, despite administration’s recommendation for refusal. At that time, council requested the matter be brought back after odour concerns had been discussed – concerns that would be regulated by Health Canada, which maintains a strict no-odour standard for this type of facility. Health Canada would shut down operations, the applicant explained, should the facility emit odours. What council had hoped to gain from this meeting is somewhat of a mystery. In addition, RVC’s manger of legislative services advised council at the July 24 meeting, if second reading was granted, there would be no opportunity for another public hearing on the matter. Council chose to move forward with second reading, but still appeared shocked Sept. 11 that it could not review the results of the discussion. These blunders have pushed back a decision on the application until after a second public hearing, which cannot happen until Oct. 23. This applicant is now left trying to determine if it is worthwhile to continue with the endeavour. Council’s irresponsible handling of this application certainly doesn’t represent RVC as an appealing place to launch a business - we might reconsider, if we were investors.
