By Tom Mark

Marijuana Discussion Underway In Armstrong

Jan 15, 2018 | 7:12 AM

The City of Armstrong is now starting to talk about how to deal with cannabis once it becomes legal for sale in July.

Mayor Chris Pieper says there’s no plan yet, no serious discussion on zoning changes.

But, it’s coming.

“We will be talking about it, probably once a month as policies in the province and the federal government evolve.”

The Mayor says there’s not much that can be done until some direction is given by the provincial government.

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While there has been some talking of allowing smaller communities the option of refusing to allow permits for sales, Pieper can’t see that as a way to go.

“We haven’t looked at that yet. I mean it would be easy to say it but if you do that it just goes underground like it is right now. If it’s everywhere, we’ll probably be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

Pieper hopes they get a clearer idea soon on what’s required federally and provincially, including the qualifications for someone dispensing marijuana.

“There’s gotta be a provincial overseer of it or a federal overseer. I think at the end of the day the only thing local communities will have the say over is business licensing and zoning.”

Pieper also says there’s no sense in trying to ban something and end up in a legal fight.

by Tom Mark