Pubdate: Wed, 19 May 2010
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Jon Ferry

IF POT MUST BE SOLD, IT SHOULD BE AT PHARMACIES

Shop Dispensing Medical Marijuana -- Without Even A Business Licence

Why am I not surprised that a medical marijuana dispensary has now 
opened, without a business licence, in downtown Maple Ridge?

Well, such cannabis dispensaries are growing like weeds in Western 
U.S. states such as California where, in a November referendum, 
citizens will vote on whether to legalize recreational use of the 
drug and tax sales of it.

In B.C., of course, smoking marijuana has become effectively legal 
for years -- for all except those who actually blow the smoke in a 
cop's face. What we Canadians don't seem to approve of is growing pot 
for profit. A recent poll shows that, while most support legalizing 
marijuana, a hefty majority want stiff penalties for grow operators.

We're a bit conflicted about the issue, in other words. So are Lower 
Mainland politicians and police -- especially about the dispensing of 
medical marijuana, currently governed by somewhat Byzantine Health 
Canada rules.

A case in point is the controversial Taggs Medicinal Cannabis 
Dispensary which, without warning civic authorities, has just set up 
shop in Maple Ridge and is "dispensing" all kinds of marijuana 
products, from the weed itself to capsules, oils and so-called edibles.

Michael Joinson, director of The Always Growing Green Society that 
runs the dispensary, told me Tuesday it doesn't need a business 
licence because it's a non-profit organization, as are a half-a-dozen 
other B.C. dispensaries. A new dispensary is opening next week in 
Vancouver's West End, he added.

The 42-year-old Joinson, a former roofer who uses marijuana to cope 
with chronic back pain, has a government exemption from drug laws. He 
says some of the 44 dispensary members also have this exemption. 
Others have been referred by a doctor "and are in the first stages of 
getting their government exemption."

Joinson says his position is unpaid, though he has two employees, 
paid $15 and $10 an hour, respectively. "As soon as this society 
starts bringing in money, that money is going back into this 
community," he noted.

However, Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin said the dispensary is 
situated in a less-than-savoury area, and local citizens are fearful 
it will bring further problems: "Folks see this as not being helpful 
to the neighbourhood."

Then, there are legal issues. Currently, Health Canada grants access 
to medical marijuana to those suffering from "grave and debilitating 
illnesses." And, subject to some restrictions, it lets them grow it 
themselves, get it from Health Canada or designate someone else to 
grow it for them.

But Daykin thinks it would be far better if regular pharmacies, not 
unregulated pot dispensaries, were responsible for dispensing medical 
marijuana on a doctor's prescription.

I agree with him. That way users would be protected and the medical 
use of marijuana would gain legitimacy -- and not simply be viewed as 
a crafty way of getting around Canada's drug-trafficking laws.

The problem is that Health Canada is not one of Ottawa's most 
responsive departments. So don't expect any rule changes any time soon.

In the meantime, we'll just have to wait for what happens in the 
California referendum -- and follow suit at some point down the road, 
as we invariably do.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart