Multiple complaints over odours from Kosmina Road cannabis facility

Photo: Jon Manchester

Vernon Bylaw Services has received several complaints about the strong smell of cannabis emanating from a grow facility on Kosmina Road.

City spokesperson Christy Poirier confirms bylaw staff have received 11 complaints since last fall.

Eight complaints were made between September and the end of December 2022; and there have been three more so far this year.

The 60,000-square-foot growing facility is operated by Avant Brands.

Poirier says the bylaw team has been in contact with Health Canada.

Poirier says it is the responsibility of licence holders to remain compliant with the Cannabis Act, via the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch.

"If bylaw receives calls with concerns about odour from a cannabis production facility, residents are being provided ... information from Health Canada, who has jurisdiction over the matter," Poirier says.

Regulations include restrictions on emissions of odours from indoor cultivation, which typically has significantly higher plant density than outdoor cultivation and can be located anywhere, including in urban areas, Health Canada advises.

Concerns about smell from any production site should be made by submitting a formal complaint to Health Canada by using its cannabis reporting form.