Regulation of Cannabis

The City of Pitt Meadows has adopted zoning amendment bylaws related to cannabis cultivation, production, sales and consumption.

The City of Pitt Meadows bylaws:

permit the cultivation of cannabis within the Agricultural Land Reserve in accordance with the provincial and federal regulations;
in all other zones the cultivation, processing, drying, storing, packaging, distribution or testing of cannabis requires special permission; and
prohibit all retail sales of cannabis in Pitt Meadows, except where specifically approved by Council. The City will consider cannabis retail licenses on a case-by-case basis according to Council Policy C108.

The City has also updated its Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw to include a category for production, testing, processing, packaging, distribution, or storage of cannabis.

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions below:

How do I report cannabis odours?

Because production of cannabis is only permitted on land within the Agricultural Land Reserve in Pitt Meadows, producers are guided by the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act.
- Farm Industry Review Board – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/boards-commissions-tribunals/bc-farm-industry-review-board/farm-practices/steps-in-complaints-process
- Health Canada - https://health.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/recalls-adverse-reactions-reporting/reporting-form.htm
- Metro Vancouver - http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/Permits-regulations-enforcement/air-quality/air-quality-complaints/complaint-tips/Pages/default.aspx
- City of Pitt Meadows Bylaw Department - 604-465-2428 or bylaw@pittmeadows.ca.

Regulation

Cannabis production is only permitted in Pitt Meadows in the Agricultural Land Reserve, and cannabis production facilities must follow the:
- municipal Zoning Bylaw
- municipal Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw
- applicable provincial and federal regulations.
The Province’s Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act applies to cannabis production in the Agricultural Land Reserve, and it protects “normal farm practices” by allowing for odour, noise and dust or other disturbance related to normal farm operations.
The Farm Practices Protection Act, also states that farm operations can’t be conducted in contravention of the Public Health Act, Integrated Pest Management Act, Environmental Management Act, the regulations under those Acts or any land use regulation.
You must be 19 years or older to buy, use, possess or grow non-medical cannabis in B.C.
Provincial legislation related to non-medical cannabis in B.C. includes:
- the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act
- the Cannabis Distribution Act, and
- updates to the Motor Vehicle Act.
The provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is responsible for licensing non-medical cannabis in private stores and monitoring the non-medical cannabis retail sector.
Find where to buy legal cannabis in B.C. (note that there are no legal retail locations in Pitt Meadows).
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is the sole, wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis for the province and operates standalone, public retail stores and provides online sales at BC Cannabis Stores.

Retail

Cultivation

Under the provincial Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, adults 19 years and older can grow up to four non-medical cannabis plants in their residence.
- Non-medical cannabis plants cannot be grown where they visible from a public place (e.g. parks, streets, sidewalks, sports fields, and K-12 school properties.
- Cannabis plants (including medicinal cannabis) cannot be grown in a home licensed for child care.
- Landlords and strata councils may further restrict or prohibit growing non-medical cannabis. Learn about updates to the Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Tenancy Act.
Consult your insurance provider if you wish to grow cannabis inside your home to ensure there is no impact on your coverage.
Download a Province of B.C. fact sheet for more information.

Enforcement

Contact

For questions about cannabis in Pitt Meadows contact the Planning Department at 604-465-2428.

Additional resources

Government of Canada: What you need to know about cannabis
Find information about legalization, regulation, possession, traveling, consumption, growing and impaired driving.
Province of BC: Get cannabis clarity
Find information about what’s legal, travel, use, legislation, industry, enforcement and growing.
Health Canada: Medical use of cannabis