Dear editor,
Regarding: Municipalities protest after BC declares marijuana crops ‘farm use’ (May 23).
What provincial government brain-trust in Victoria came up with the idea of declaring all cannabis production ‘farm use’ on ALR lands?
I have no issue regarding growing or distributing marijuana to adults; in fact, its legalization was long overdue.
What I do take issue with is potentially losing a great deal of what little farmland B.C. and the Island have left to non-food production.
Let’s talk about the Island. In the 1950s, 85 per cent of the Island’s food supply was grown locally; now only 10 per cent is. The reasons are various; what’s important is that the Island is largely dependent on food produced off-island. In fact, we rely heavily on food produced in California, which might not be too bad, except that California is suffering through drought cycles that scientists link to the climate crisis.
ALR lands on the Island and throughout B.C. must be preserved for the production of food. Much sooner than some expect, we will need every piece of farmland, every farmer, and every backyard vegetable gardener in order to survive.
Many of us won’t.
Marijuana provides no nourishment, although some dudes may die blissed-out.
Pat Carl,
Comox