Getting high on cannabis costs

Jun 21, 2019 | 11:45 AM

The province’s rocky rollout of cannabis rules and regulations over the past year has been costing the North Okanagan Regional District a mountain of money.

NORD’s board of directors has decided to have staff fire off a letter to the premier and others about the spiralling costs related to the multiple changes in legislation and interpretation.

“We want to make a point that these ongoing changes to the legislation on cannabis have a real cost to local government,” NORD chair Kevin Acton said. “The intent is to say ‘look, this is costing taxpayers when it shouldn’t be.’ These are provincial and federal regulations.”

A report to the board of directors this week showed the district paid $87,729.13 so far for advertising costs, legal fees and staffing.

Staff have had to draft and then redraft bylaws connected to cannabis production as provincial rules changed, according to Rob Smailes, general manager of planning and building.

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“With all the new legislation and further amendments/clarification, staff have been working diligently to keep up with the changes and keep the board of directors and the public informed,” Smailes said in his report.

Acton, who is the mayor of Lumby, said he’s not expecting the province to dole out funds but the board wants to “make a point” in the letter which will be sent to the premier, the Agricultural Land Commission, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

He said local governments should have a share in cannabis excise tax revenue.

“Local government has to enforce these rules so if we don’t get a share then it’s just another form of downloading,” he said.

The Union of BC Municipalities has issued a survey for local governments to complete this month examining costs related to cannabis legislation.

The information is expected to support UBCM discussions with provincial ministers this fall regarding cannabis excise tax revenue sharing.

by Kate Bouey

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