Pubdate: Wed, 29 Apr 2015
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2015 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Ian Bailey and Mary Beach
Page: S1

CITY IGNORES OTTAWA TO PUSH POT PLAN

Series of public hearings approved in lead-up to introduction of new
licensing regulations for Vancouver dispensaries as early as fall

Storefront sales of marijuana legitimize and normalize the use of
marijuana. Letter from Health Minister Rona Ambrose and Public Safety
Minister Steven Blaney

Despite new objections from the federal government, Vancouver city
council has decided to hold public hearings to refine a plan to
regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, pressing ahead with new rules
that could be in place by the fall.

As council voted 10-1 on Tuesday in favour of the hearings, the
federal government released a letter from Health Minister Rona Ambrose
and Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney asking councillors not to
proceed with the plan because it could facilitate access to marijuana.

"Storefront sales of marijuana legitimize and normalize the use of
marijuana and can have only one effect: increasing marijuana use and
addiction," the letter said, adding that such an "irresponsible
approach" sends a terrible message to youth and would make it easier
for them to gain access to marijuana.

New rules would limit where dispensaries can be set up and would
charge hefty licence fees.

Ms. Ambrose and Mr. Blaney said they are "deeply concerned" about
council's plans.

The letter noted that the courts require the federal government to
facilitate access to marijuana when authorized by a physician, but
this must be done in a "controlled fashion." Last year, the government
set up a network of commercial producers that distribute their product
through the mail. "Storefront sales are illegal," the letter said.

The message echoed a letter Ms. Ambrose wrote to Mayor Gregor
Robertson and her comments to reporters during a visit to the Lower
Mainland on Friday.

But officials at city hall were unaware of the correspondence on
Tuesday as council voted and in scrums with reporters afterward. Mr.
Robertson earlier rejected Ms. Ambrose's calls to back off the plan.
City manager Penny Ballem said she expected the hearings might begin
by the end of May and that new regulations could be in place in October.

"Council was clear in referring it: They want a full discussion with
the public involved," Dr. Ballem told reporters.

The proposed bylaw changes are in response to the rapid growth in the
dispensaries. More than 80 are selling marijuana in the city, up from
20 in 2012. They have mostly operated without interference from the
city or police.

Before the vote, councillors called for the hearings to deal with
issues such as policing, public complaints, trends in certain
neighbourhoods, the legal ramifications of issues raised in last
week's letter from Ms. Ambrose and how to manage dispensaries that are
near schools.

The current proposal, which was made public in a report released last
week, would force dispensaries to be at least 300 metres from schools,
community centres and other marijuana-related businesses.
Dispensaries, including those currently in operation, would be
required to pay $30,000 for a business licence.

Dana Larsen, director of the Vancouver Dispensary Society, said
dispensaries in the city largely support regulation.

"We are glad the city is taking action. We want to be regulated and be
safe knowing what the rules are and knowing that we're following them."

However, he said, there are issues with some proposals, and some
dispensary owners are hoping for changes.

Mr. Larsen, also vice-president of the Canadian Association of Medical
Cannabis Dispensaries, called the licensing fee "pretty excessive"
compared to other such fees in Vancouver.

He also warned the proposed 300-metre buffer zone between dispensaries
and similar operations, schools and community centres will force
two-thirds of Vancouver operations to close.
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MAP posted-by: Matt