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Metro Vancouver seeks input on rules to reduce cannabis grow odours

Langley residents can offer their feedback until the end of November
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The former Canopy Growth greenhouses in South Aldergrove were the target of many complaints due to odours. (Langley Advance Times file)

Anyone concerned with air quality issues related to cannabis growing and processing plants is invited to give feedback to Metro Vancouver in the coming weeks.

The regional district has responsibility for some air quality issues, and it has put forward proposed new rules to manage emissions related to cannabis.

Members of the public along with cannabis industry representatives are expected to weigh in on the proposed rules.

The proposed rules can be found on Metro Vancouver’s website.

Metro Vancouver’s discussion paper on the subject notes that greenhouses formerly used for growing vegetables were refitted for cannabis production shortly after legalization in 2018.

“Metro Vancouver as well as member municipalities have received complaints about odorous emissions from cannabis production operations,” the paper notes.

Cannabis growing can result in the creation of volatile organic compounds, which may contribute to the creation of harmful ground-level ozone. There can also be fine particulate matter.

“Emissions most notably occur during the flowering, harvesting, drying, and trimming phases, during which high levels of a group of VOCs called terpenes can be produced,” the paper says.

Terpenes can create strong odours as well as contributing to particulate and ozone.

Metro Vancouver’s guiding principles for new rules are about prevention and control of emissions, following a “discharger pays” principle, and addressing the public’s concerns. However, the paper noted that odours may not be entirely eliminated.

The proposed rules include requirements for emissions to be captured and treated with activated carbon filters, with complaints response plans and a 200 metre minimum distance for new facilities from residential properties, hospitals, schools, daycares, playgrounds, and care homes.

Fights over farm odours and noises have cropped up in Langley from time to time, including over cannabis.

When Canopy Growth took over a large existing greenhouse operation in South Aldergrove, residents nearby almost immediately complained about the smell coming from the complex.

READ ALSO: Canopy Growth intends to sell Aldergrove cannabis greenhouses

The upset locals drew in then-MLA Rich Coleman, but by 2020 the issue came to an end when Canopy shut down its Aldergrove operations due to financial reasons.

Metro is hosting a pair of webinars, on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. and on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 1 to 2 p.m., as well as taking feedback via their website and from people calling 604-432-6200.

November 30 is the deadline for providing feedback.


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Matthew Claxton

About the Author: Matthew Claxton

Raised in Langley, as a journalist today I focus on local politics, crime and homelessness.
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