Strong smells of cannabis have been bothering the citizens of Drummondville in Center-du-Québec since the end of July, even disrupting the operations of a school.
These disgusting smells come from the Canna-Culture company located on 5th Rank, west of Highway 55, where these plants are grown outdoors.
The residential area where citizens complain about bad smells is on the other side of the highway, a few hundred meters away as the crow flies.
The persistent smell is similar to that of a skunk, says the principal of Quatre-Vents elementary school, who has been struggling with this unpleasant situation since the beginning of the school year.
The problem is even greater because the school, which has CO2 detectors, has been forced to open the windows of its classrooms in recent weeks to allow better ventilation.
Canna-Culture operates an outdoor cannabis plantation on around 30 hectares of agricultural land.
The company did not respond to our request for an interview. However, it stated in a press release that it is “listening to citizens’ concerns and says it is looking for solutions to what it describes as disadvantage.”
The Des Chênes School Service Center contacted the Ministry of the Environment, which is responsible for enforcing laws on odors and air quality.
The center asked in particular whether the ministry had taken steps with the company and whether the agriculture minister and MP for Johnson’s riding – André Lamontagne – was in discussions with the company’s management.
The answers are still awaited.
Nothing reassuring, say concerned citizens who fear the problem will recur.