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Vol. 13, No. 49, Wednesday October 3, 2018 www.LamontLeader.com
Chipman neighbours oppose medical marijuana grow op JOHN MATHER Neighbours southeast of Chipman are banding together to fight a proposal to start a medical marijuana grow operations on a neighbouring farm. “I’m not against what they’re proposing to produce, but rather that they are taking Class 2 farm land out of production,” said Shelagh Pastoor, who lives across from the proposed development at 53538 Range Road 183. She is spearheading opposition to the development. A development permit application has been received by Lamont County from Gaia Bio Pharmaceuticals to build a 100 X 105 foot building to grow medical marijuana on a 32.37 ha parcel within NW-34-53-18-W4. The landowner, Kenneth Ehry, is one of the shareholders in the proposed operation, although the principals are Lamont County residents James and Mandy Kilpatrick. Pastoor organized a meeting of neighbours at her home, Sept. 29 and the Kilpatricks also showed up to try and smooth ruffled feathers. About 20 neighbours showed up to the meeting chaired by Pastoor’s mother, former Lethbridge MLA Bridget Pastoor. Most of the concerns dealt with electricity usage, security issues, sewer and water and increases in traffic along the rural road leading to the property. “This is class 2 land,” said Pastoor “It’s prime soil for growing crops.” Many of the residents felt the product isn’t designated as an agricultural product, so residents were concerned about the zoning of the land. The residents were informed they had to present a letter opposing the
ing for him and they would be able to answer questions at a later date. Kilpatrick stated he wanted to be a good steward in the community. “This hasn’t played out the way we hoped,” he said. “But I’m willing to
James and Mandy Kilpatrick are majority owners of a company that wants to develop a medical marijuana grow facility southeast of Chipman. The couple met with local residents Sept. 29 to discuss their project and hopefully alleviate many concerns.
Customizable, pre-fabricated grow facilities can be made from Seacans, and are sold as a low cost but efficient solution for those growing medical marijuana.
development to council by Oct. 15. Many of the residents were unfamil- answer any questions and be as transiar with just what might be involved. parent as I can.” “When I started this business we There were concerns about light burndidn’t know what it ing 24-hours a day would look like. and bothering neighThere are numbers bouring livestock. in our application They also had conI’m not against what that we put in just to cerns about potential they’re proposing to get the process startsmells coming from ed.” produce, but rather the development. “The only reaWhen Kilpatrick that they are taking son that parcel of addressed the group, Class 2 farm land out land was chosen was he tried to ease any of production. because we had to fears, although he - Shelagh Pastoor get some land. An readily admitted he offer was made to wasn’t a scientist so purchase it in the he couldn’t give future if we’re successful in our applispecifics about how the production cations.” process worked. He added Ehry has been holding on He added he had biologists and scientists with agricultural degrees work- to the land for two years while the project was developed.
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The development itself, he added, would be a concrete pad with sprung buildings erected. Inside those would be double walled sea cans where the actual growing would take place. He said the property would have 24hour surveillance cameras. The buildings could only be accessed though airlocks and there would be no retail sales from the site. “We’ll be selling our product to distributors and we’ll only be selling the flowers. The remaining part of the plant would be discarded.” Mandy Kilpatrick stated they would be a Health Canada regulated facility and anyone attempting to steal would be better suited to robbing a retail store in an urban area, rather than a farm like what they were proposing. ”We’ll be shipping to huge licenced distributors who already have a patient base.” James added that the growth cycles would be about three months per cycle. He told the gathered residents he was more concerned about neighbouring pesticides and odors getting into his sea cans and contaminating his crop, which is strictly regulated by Health Canada, than anything he might be putting into the atmosphere. He said he planned to have five employees per shift at the farm. Product would be shipped by truck from the facility. After the meeting, Pastoor said she remained unconvinced of the need for the operation on the top class farmland. She said she would be sending a letter to council and she hopes a delegation will be allowed to address council at their Oct. 9 meeting.