Metro Vancouver to Regulate Emissions From Cannabis Industry

The regional district, which regulates air quality within its boundaries, is working on regulations for the industry in response to the legalization of cannabis last fall, and the resulting explosion of commercial cannabis production facilities.

"It's taking a look at what regulations could be brought in that would ensure that there isn't an impact to the community with respect to emissions from a facility that's operating, whether it's on agricultural land or any other type of land," said Metro Vancouver commissioner and chief administrative officer Carol Mason at a board of directors meeting Friday.

The regulations are meant to deal with both emissions that could be harmful to the environment or health - volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter - and offensive odours.

High levels of VOCs can be produced during cannabis plant flowering and harvesting, and odour-masking agents contain VOCs and may create particulate matter. Power production equipment emits nitrogen oxides and possibly particulate matter.

"VOCs ... are strongly implicated in smog issues that we have in the region," said Roger Quan, Metro's director of air quality and climate change. "The introduction of a new source of VOCs - potentially a significant source of VOCs - is another driver for the regulations." Bad smells coming from facilities have been an issue in farming communities like Delta and Langley Township.

"The issue with odours emanating from cannabis production facilities is quite serious," said township Mayor Jack Froese. "Certainly in the Township of Langley, where we have one of largest cannabis growing operations, if not in Canada, certainly in B.C." Metro Vancouver received 326 odour complaints related to cannabis over the past year, involving four greenhouses - B.C. Tweed/Canopy in Langley (256) and Delta (five), Tantalus Labs in Maple Ridge (19), and Pure Sun Farms in Delta (one) - cannabis shops, households and some unknown sources. Most complaints came from Langley, Delta and Maple Ridge.

"The smell is really pretty disgusting," said Delta Coun. Lois Jackson.

The discussion paper suggests that cannabis processing and waste management be done in enclosed facilities that have rapidly closing doors or a double-door system. Activated carbon filters would be used for VOC emission control in all structures and from outdoor cultivation during periods of peak emission, such as plant flowering. Particulate filters could also be used with the carbon filters.

Producers would have to submit comprehensive air emission management plans, outdoor masking and odour-neutralizing agents would not be allowed - although they could be used indoors - and uncontrolled emission release or bypassing emission controls would not be permitted.

Facilities would also have to be more than 200 metres from land zoned for residential use, hospitals, schools, daycares, playgrounds and care facilities.

Until new regulations have been developed, site-specific permits are being issued to individual producers. Quan said larger producers will likely still be issued permits after a bylaw comes into effect.

Staff had hoped to begin consultations with the public, producers and processors, industry associations, member jurisdictions, senior levels of government and others in April and wrap up by the end of May. The goal was to have regulations in place early next year.

However, that timeline will have to be amended, because board members were concerned about the consultation process, including the amount of time allowed for feedback, and who was being consulted. The board referred the report back to the climate action committee and the agricultural advisory committee.

"I have chatted with staff and I think it is quite a reasonable request to go back and look at more time and a more extensive consultation process because this is a significant piece of work and developing new regulations takes time," said Mason.