Bryan Green wants to make sure Welland gets it right when it comes to the budding cannabis industry.

That's why the Ward 4 councillor voted in favour of an interim control bylaw that will see a yearlong pause on new medical marijuana facilities in the city.

"I want us to make the best decision we can without feeling like we made a rushed decision," said Green, who had proposed a review of bylaws pertaining to the industry.

The interim control bylaw came after Matthews Road residents raised concerns over a proposed 27,263-square-metre cannabis-production facility by Advantage Cannabis.

"We have to get it right," said Green. "We can't make changes once things are up and running. This gives Welland the opportunity to take a year and not rush, to do research and see what's happening around the province and see what others are doing."

He said the cannabis industry is completely new, and every level of government touches it in some way.

"Everyone is trying to figure out who does what. We look at odour control. Can the municipality regulate odours coming from a greenhouse? No one has a firm answer on what we can or can't do."

Green wants the city to come up with bylaws that will look at the concerns of residents and the needs of the industry, something that would stand up if challenged in court.

Input and feedback from residents and the cannabis industry are needed in the process, he said.

"Let's set out zoning bylaws and proper setbacks that will dictate where these industries go. I'm all right with them in industrial zones, as long as those zones aren't next to a subdivision."

As for classifying the industry as strictly agricultural, that comes with its own issues.

"We have to look at what we want our land used for. Giving the industry free rein in agricultural areas could see prime agricultural land ripped up to build greenhouses. We need to be cautious in our approach."

Green said the Matthews Road area is rural with agricultural lands - but there are homes right across the street from the proposed facility.

As for the interim control bylaw being anti-cannabis or anti-business, Green said that is not the case.

"If I was anti-cannabis, I'd ask for a bylaw to be written that was so tough that no one would come to Welland. That's not what I want to do. I just want to slow the process down and make sure we have it right."

Nathaniel.Johnson@niagaradailies.com

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