A post on a West Shore Facebook group regarding the smell of marijuana on Sooke Road drew mixed reactions Tuesday morning.
The smell seems to originate from roughly the 2600-block of Sooke Road in Langford, between Jacklin and Anders roads. A number of residents noted it’s more noticeable in the morning and was especially potent Tuesday.
When the Gazette investigated later in the afternoon there was a faint smell in the area.
While a large number of people who commented on the post noted the smell didn’t bother them, others expressed concerns that the smell was causing them to feel ill.
People with scent or smoke allergies were quick to note the smell can be offensive and one person said they sometimes alter their route home just to avoid the area while another said the smell gives them migraines.
But those in favour of what the original poster noted was a licensed facility, were quick to express their support. One person joked she rolls her windows down when driving by. Others were excited about the opportunity to grow their own plants later this summer once the federal government legalizes marijuana use.
Those looking to offer solutions noted a better ventilation system could be installed at the site but were quick to note that does come with a price tag.
The original poster also noted they had contacted the City of Langford’s bylaw department regarding the smell and were told that since the property is federally licensed to grow there was nothing they could do.
Langford’s bylaw department could not be reached Tuesday afternoon to confirm that.
According to Health Canada, there are 18 licensed producers of cannabis for medical purposes in B.C. under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. There are 47 in Ontario, six in Quebec, four in both Alberta and Saskatchewan respectively, two in Manitoba, and a combined total of five on the Eastern coast.