Pubdate: Thu, 26 Mar 2015 Source: Chief, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 Whistler Printing & Publishing Contact: http://www.squamishchief.com/section/squamish0303&template=letter Website: http://www.squamishchief.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2414 Author: Jennifer Thuncher DISPENSARY REMAINS OPEN AS A RESOURCE CENTRE Owner says community needs medical marijuana service he offered For now, Bryan Raiser's medical marijuana dispensary's doors remain open, as a resource centre. Raiser had been given until March 19 by the RCMP to stop offering marijuana to clients at his newly opened 99 North Medical Cannabis Dispensary in downtown Squamish. "Only thing I know for sure is there are still those in the community that still desperately need the services that a dispensary provides and 99 North's doors will be open this week to answer the many legal and medical questions around obtaining and using medical cannabis," Raiser said in a statement to The Squamish Chief on Tuesday morning. On March 5, the local RCMP visited to deliver a letter that, according to Raiser, said they intended to take action if he had not closed by March 19. In the letter, marijuana dispensaries are termed "illegal." When operating as a dispensary, Raiser had offered dried cannabis, oils, edible and topical marijuana. Squamish council unanimously passed a motion on March 17 that stated council will request the federal government include marijuana derivatives, such as cannabis oils, be included in the legal marijuana program and that government further review legislation and options for greater local access. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom