Cannabis (Stock photo 246830761 © MNStudio | Dreamstime.com)

By Pete McIntyre

Odour issue

City referring complaints about cannabis smell to Health Canada

Jan 17, 2023 | 5:00 AM

The City of Vernon’s bylaw department has received several complaints over the last few months about the odour of cannabis in the Kosmina Road area where an indoor growing facility is located.

“Bylaw Services has received a handful of complaints regarding the smell of cannabis in the Kosmina Road area between last fall and now: 8 complaints between September and December 2022 [and] 3 complaints so far this year,” Christy Poirier, communications manager for the city, told Vernon Matters.

Poirier said Health Canada has jurisdiction over the matter and bylaws staff is referring any complaints they receive to that agency.

“For any concerns about the odour, regardless of originating from an indoor or outdoor cultivation of cannabis, or about any product, site or accessory, individuals are encouraged to submit a formal complaint to Health Canada in writing by using the Cannabis Reporting Form,” Poirier added

The city said the same business upgraded its filtration system last year after getting 23 complaints about the smell. According to one concerned resident of that area, that initially helped reduce the odour, but it’s now said to be getting stronger again, including for residents in the Middleton neighbourhood.

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Avant Brands, a leading producer of handcrafted, high quality cannabis products, announced in August 2021 that its joint venture, 3PL Ventures, had licensing for a 60,000 square foot facility on Kosmina Road in Vernon, which is the largest cultivation facility within the Avant group of companies.

Vernon Matters has reached out to Avant Brands for comment on the odour.

According to city information, the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch is responsible for developing and implementing legislation, regulations, policies and operational programs that support the control of cannabis.

It is the responsibility of the licence holders to remain compliant with the Cannabis Act and its regulations. The regulations include restrictions on emissions of odours from indoor cultivation, which typically has significantly higher plant density than outdoor cultivation and can be located anywhere, including in urban areas.