Pubdate: Thu, 23 Apr 2015
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Vancouver 24 hrs.
Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Michael Mui
Page: 5

POT SHOPS FACE HEFTY FEES, LOCATION LIMITS

Dispensary owners won't be able to open up near schools or community
centres if proposal passes

A new plan at Vancouver City Hall proposes to charge marijuana
dispensaries $30,000 per year to operate, kick out existing shops
where there are "clusters" of dispensaries, and prohibit pot shops
near community centres and schools.

The city's proposal is aimed at dealing with the numerous "marijuana
related businesses" in the city that have exploded in growth over the
past two years.

Coun. Kerry Jang said the proposal allows city hall to flex its
regulatory muscles over the business and land use side of things while
leaving drug regulations to the federal government. A staff report
says more than 80 of the pot shops have operated in Vancouver without
a business licence. Vancouver police have often said dispensaries
operate outside of the law, though police have generally left them
alone.

"We're concerned (shops) are too close to schools and community
centres, and so we're responding to that," Jang said, adding it's also
suggested that shops be banned from the Granville entertainment strip
and the Downtown Eastside.

The plan also aims to decluster areas with more than one dispensary.
It's expected that businesses who've had run-ins with the police,
didn't apply for building permits, had complaints, or are selling pot
for profit, could be asked to move based on a "demerit" system.

Otherwise, the business that gets to stay will be decided by a lottery
system.

The price of doing business will be expensive. At $30,000 per year,
Jang said, the business licence for pot shops will be three times more
than the current top rate of $10,000 per year for massage parlours.

"It's simply cost recovery," Jang said. "We have police time to do
criminal record checks, we have inspection staff already going down
there bi-monthly to inspect, the fire chief or his staff has to go
inspect to make sure the fire code is met. "Some are low maintenance -
these are high maintenance businesses." Dispensary operators like Don
Briere, who owns Weeds Glass & Gifts shops in Vancouver, say the
proposal unfairly discriminates against their trade.

"What do they charge for a bar involved in the Stanley Cup riot? Is
their fee $30,000 a licence or $3,000 a licence?" he asked.

"The costs will be passed onto the consumer. I can't buy an item - a
shirt - for $10 and sell it for $8... I'd have to at least double the
cost."

Briere expects there may be at least several of his 12 Vancouver
locations that would need to move if the proposal is passed.