Fresh complaints stem from Vernon cannabis operation

Sep 13, 2023 | 5:00 AM

Residents of a Vernon neighbourhood have issued new complaints of odours from a local cannabis growing operation.

Brian Johnson, a representative for residents of Quail Run in Middleton Mountain, appeared before Vernon council Monday, Sept. 11, to present a petition with 48 signatures that claimed the odour of the Evant Ventures cannabis operation at 1701 Kosmina Road can be smelled in the neighbourhood, despite regulations requiring smells not be detectable outside the property.

“Our objective: we the people of Vernon are asking your support to take action on this subject matter of concern to solve this issue on a permanent basis,” Johnson told council.

“Together we, with Health Canada and the B.C. Government, can investigate and make corrections on our behalf.”

The issue was brought up by area residents in 2022, and Johnson said the matter was corrected for a while, but the smell has come back “just as strong as ever” and must again be addressed.

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“Operations for cannabis cultivation facilities in Canada must submit an operating plan to Health Canada. That includes odour control to ensure cultivated cannabis does not emit odour detectable by the public outside the facility,” Johnson told council.

“Enforcement of cannabis rules and regulation is largely through the provincial government, except for the land use and licensing aspects that are regulated by the municipal government.”

Johnson said the issue with municipal licensing is the key point in this matter.

“Some points of statements: the Government of Canada Cannabis Owners Cannabis Odour and Odour Control: only indoor commercial license holders are subject to odour control under the cannabis regulations,” Johnson told council.

“Commercial producers of cannabis for both indoor and outdoor productions are subject to the rules of local municipalities or governments. Health Canada encourages local governments to use their tools at their [disposal] to ensure cannabis production requirements are met including zoning bylaws, building codes, bylaws about noise, bylaws about odours, and other nuisance issues. Various local governments can also put into place laws and bylaws for cannabis odours.”

Johnson noted the cannabis odour is not constant, and instead can be smelled periodically through the day, but claimed it was still having impacts on people’s lives.

“It can be very annoying when you have to put up with the smell of skunk, day in and day out. In summer time, when you cannot sit in your garden or on your deck, is not right. And having unpleasant odours can bother some people and influence their life including mental health issues because they start to stay inside, and it also affects some people on their sinuses and their breathing problems. So it’s not a good thing.”

After hearing the delegation, Councillor Kari Gares acknowledged that the smell from the facility can be “obnoxious” at times and inquired as to what tools were at the city’s disposal to address it. She was told that administration would investigate the matter and report back at the next meeting.

Councillor Akbal Mund advised Johnson to contact the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch, which also oversees cannabis facilities, as they are in charge of inspections.

Councillor Brian Guy stated he had heard other complaints from area residents and believed it was an important issue to address, saying the report to council should look into the regulatory issues.

“There’s some authority that exists with the federal government, some with the provincial government, and yes, the municipal government has some role as well,” Guy said

“So let’s ensure the report lays out clearly what authority the municipality has and make some clear recommendations on actions that the municipality can take.”

Council voted unanimously in favour of receiving the delegation for information and tasking staff with compiling a report on the matter for the meeting on September 25.

by Liam Verster

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