Pubdate: Wed, 12 Sep 2012
Source: New West News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/R431HMFW
Website: http://www.newwestnewsleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1297
Author: Mario Bartel

MARIJUANA DISPENSARY EYED FOR NEW WESTMINSTER

A group called the West Coast Green Light Society hopes to open the 
New Innovations in Cannabis Education (N.I.C.E.) Dispensary at 907 
12th St. in the near future.

In a Sept. 1 email to the West End Residents Association, Justin 
Cleveland, president of the society, said he welcomes members of the 
community to drop by the location with "questions and concerns they 
may have regarding the dispensary."

But on Monday, the front door to the squat brick and wood-siding 
building-which once housed a music studio and then a flower shop for 
a brief spell-was locked tight, the lights inside off.

Other than the dispensary's name stenciled in small green lettering 
on the door, there was no signage. Calls to Cleveland and the 
dispensary weren't returned.

The group hasn't yet applied for a business licence to operate in New 
Westminster yet, said city licensing manager Keith Coueffin, so the 
dispensary can't open.

"The city has become aware of this group's intention to open at this 
location," Coueffin said. "They've been advised that they may not 
operate until applying for and obtaining a business licence."

Once an application for a licence is received, Coueffin said it will 
be scrutinized to ensure it complies "with all municipal, provincial 
and federal legislation."

The police service would also be consulted regarding the operation, he added.

"It's also my understanding that the dispensary would not comply with 
the Criminal Code of Canada."

If a marijuana dispensary opened on 12th Street, it would be a 
serious blow to the struggling strip, said Sandy Longridge, who 
operates Assist-2-Sell Realty on the street.

"The image of the street is already shot," said Longridge, who's been 
operating the realty office with her husband Lyle since 2008.

In that time they've become involved with initiatives like the 12th 
Street Music Festival to try to revive the street, which endured 
years of street prostitution, petty crime, graffiti and then more 
than two years of road construction.

"The last thing it needs is a pot store opening up."

In his email to WERA, Cleveland said he's "already begun speaking 
with and informing residents and business owners of 12th Street" and 
has "received nothing but positive feedback."

WERA president Elmer Rudolph said he hasn't heard any specific 
details about the dispensary but as long as it's properly operated, 
he doesn't have a problem with it.

"If they're truly going to run an operation on the up and up, they 
should be quite prepared to alleviate anyone's concerns," said Rudolph.

Amber Anderson, the owner of Amber's Choice and the president of the 
West End Business Association, said the first she heard of the new 
venture was when she enquired about the renovations going on to the 
building, which is located next to her cafe.

She says the person she spoke to asked if they could circulate 
information about the dispensary during the 12th Street Music 
Festival but since then she's heard nothing.

"It's very important to build a dialogue," says Anderson.

The dispensary will be a topic of discussion at the business 
association's annual general meeting on Friday, Sept. 21 at the CAW Hall.

In his email, Cleveland said he's worked closely with similar 
dispensaries in Maple Ridge and Vancouver "to ensure we follow the 
standards they have set regarding daily operation and membership processes."

The website, located at nicedispensary.com states, "We provide 
quality medicinal cannabis products to legitimate patients with a 
valid medical need."

The city's Keith Coueffin said they are being vigilant, monitoring 
the 12th Street location to ensure the dispensary does not open 
before it is given the green light to do so.

Several medical marijuana dispensaries operate in the City of 
Vancouver, but they haven't fared so well outside city limits. One in 
Burnaby was raided and shut down last year. In Coquitlam, a facility 
opened in Maillardville in June, but was shut down just over a month 
later. The previous June in North Vancouver, a proponent's plan to 
open a dispensary in Deep Cove was effectively scuttled by North Van 
District Council.

- -files from Chris Bryan
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom