Pubdate: Wed, 06 May 2015
Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Vancouver Courier
Contact:  http://www.vancourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474
Author: Jessica Barrett

POT DISPENSARIES NEED TO GROW UP

Perhaps the biggest indication that the bloom of youth has started to 
fade in earnest comes when you catch yourself having decidedly 
NIMBYist thoughts.

Such has been the persuasion of my interior dialogue regarding the 
marijuana dispensaries that have invaded Vancouver like so many 
psychedelic dandelions.

At first, I tried to tamp down the not-in-my-backyard nagging that 
arose each time I noticed another "pain clinic" or "vapour lounge" 
opening in my neighbourhood; for the realization did not come without 
shame. As a supporter of progressive social policy on many fronts, 
including ending the pointless marijuana prohibition, it came as 
quite a shock to hear myself hissing "not another one!" under my breath.

But I feel I can preserve a few scraps of leftist dignity in knowing 
that my objection to these businesses has almost nothing to do with 
the principle behind them and everything to do with their packaging. 
I mean, have you noticed how ugly they are?

There are exceptions to the rule, but in general, the purveyors of 
pot in Vancouver seem to have settled on an unofficial theme in 
exterior decor that relies on garish stock photography, ominously 
tinted windows and the ubiquitous pot leaf, usually in flashing neon 
lights (not just insultingly obvious, but oh so very gauche).

Surely an industry existing in a legal grey area that has attracted 
the ire of the federal government, increased attention from municipal 
regulators and crackdowns from police who have previously turned a 
blind eye might benefit from approaching its market with a touch of 
subtlety, maybe even class?

If we are to take the industry's advocates at their word - that 
marijuana should be treated like any other medication and available 
to adults of all walks of life - it would greatly help if these 
establishments projected an image that that is indeed the clientele 
they are trying to court.

As it is, most dispensaries I have seen do not appear to have given 
any concern to the kind of professional comportment that we expect of 
other adult-oriented establishments. For the most part, liquor 
stores, pharmacies, licensed restaurants and bars tend to blend in 
with the communities where they set up shop. Respectful business 
owners in this arena go out of their way to create an atmosphere that 
is attractive and welcoming to a broad cross-section of the public.

In contrast, a majority of dispensaries around town exude a rather 
exclusive aura - and not an enticing one. With their penchant for 
opaque storefronts, tacky signage, and below-grade or off-street 
locations, these businesses look and feel like the 1990s-era head 
shops that appealed to me as a rebellious teenager.

And, as last week's police investigation at one Kitsilano dispensary 
suggests, that's exactly the kind of customers - thrill-seeking 
adolescents - these businesses appear to attract.

I can't help but think this is totally counterproductive. Because as 
much as my teenage self may have gotten a kick from flipping through 
copies of High Times and perusing the bongs in one of these glorified 
drug dens, my adult self, a voter who actually supports legalization, 
regulation and taxation of pot, wouldn't be caught dead in one. (Nor, 
it turns out, was I very welcome when I begrudgingly ducked into my 
local dispensary to ask a few questions. The owner flatly refused.)

It is hopeful that many of the industry's advocates have responded 
positively to the City of Vancouver's move to regulate these 
businesses. But I still marvel that so few seem to have considered, 
of their own volition, the advantage of employing some tact and 
discretion in their location, signage and marketing.

It has been the message of the marijuana community, medicinal and 
otherwise, for years that pot is a product adults can responsibly use 
and remain functional, productive, morally upstanding members of 
society. Polls show most Canadians agree. I agree. With legal 
marijuana markets in Washington, Colorado and, next year, Alaska, we 
seem to have finally reached a critical mass in public opinion that 
hopefully portends some sort of fully legal market here in the 
not-too-distant future.

However the final push to end prohibition is not like the civil or 
gay rights movements. Visibility in flamboyant flashing neon is not 
going to win any major battles. This is Vancouver. Pot is already 
here, and we are already used to it.

Rather than continuing to act as social outliers railing against an 
unjust law, pot dealers who hope to make a legitimate go of it need 
to demonstrate they can be good corporate citizens who are 
considerate of, and contributing to, the communities where they 
operate. They might want to start by looking the part.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom