A request to develop land and construct a medical marijuana operation in Maskwacis, in a residential area, was defeated by Ponoka County council at its Tuesday, Oct. 14 meeting.
While Alberta Transportation had no issues with the location, there were plenty who did, including the councillors.
Prior to the public hearing adjacent landowners were notified, as well as the four bands.
“Given the current drug related or gang related (issues), the problem that the community faces, and, of course, the negative perception about the community due to that,” said Azar Kamran, general manager of Samson Management Ltd opposed the application.
He added that a medical marijuana operation will make it hard to attract other businesses to the area and could harm existing ones.
Paul Johnson, Samson Cree Nation economic development officer, on behalf of the organization, spoke at the council meeting. “We are opposed wholeheartedly.”
“I’m pretty sure there’s a better way of economic stimulus,” said Johnson, referring to the project presenter Howard Ng’s comment that the operation would bring job opportunities to the community. He also feels security would be an issue.
“At this time, in our community, this is not a viable business that can make us be where we need to be. We’re trying to be healthy as Cree people in our community and having something like this is just going to detriment on what we’re trying to do,” said Lucy Johnson, a court worker for the Maskwacis Justice Society.
When the news reached the community Lucy says some youth planned to investigate the building “Mr. Ng is a businessman in our community, he’s brought a lot of good things to our community, this is just not one that needs to be in there.”
County Reeve Paul McLauchlin also felt this use of the land was not compatible with the community’s current situation and that it would affect perception.
Ng was able to present his case to council and the Maskwacis community members at the public hearing before any decision was made.
The operation was slated for development at the south end of Maskwacis, along Highway 2A and Ng wanted to have the land rezoned direct control.
Ng proposed that his and his business partner’s operation would provide the marijuana to approved clients for medicinal purposes.
“We believe there are many benefits from this project. To start, a new distribution business for the community, (an) increase in tax revenue for the county,” said Ng.
Ng planned to build new infrastructure onsite and employ approximately 20 people: six full-time security guards, six lab assistants, two lab managers, two janitorial staff, a secretary and two accountants.
Employment opportunities would also have come by the way of the construction of the production and shipping plant.
“We’re also planning to make donations for drug awareness back to the community, provide scholarships for local schools, and we also think this couple possibly be a publicly traded company on TSX. I think this will put the town of Maskwacis on the map and build a known and positive reputation for the town,” said Ng.
One of the largest challenges the medical marijuana industry faces is security. Ng’s site was across from the local fire station and down the street from the RCMP detachment.
However, county councillors did not agree with the benefits Ng stated and the issue was unanimously defeated at first reading.