Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531 Author: Don Plant Page: A3 POT-SHOP REGULATIONS WON'T BE COMING TO OKANAGAN JUST YET Now that retailers selling medical marijuana in Vancouver require a business licence, dispensaries in the Okanagan are taking notice. Vancouver city council voted 8-3 Thursday to regulate more than 80 marijuana businesses operating there without a licence. The bylaw will charge retailers a $30,000 licence fee and stop shops from setting up within 300 metres of community centres, schools and other pot shops. Controversially, the city voted to create a two-tiered licensing system, allowing compassion clubs to pay a fee of just $1,000. The new fees and regulations don't surprise Bob Jaenicke, who owns dispensaries in West Kelowna and Vernon. With fewer than 10 marijuana outlets in the Okanagan, he believes they can operate without licences for now because so few are in the Valley. "I get why they did it (in Vancouver) because it was just going crazy," he said Wednesday. "There are five dispensaries in Vernon. If six months from now there were 20, they'd probably want to look at some sort of regulation. Vancouver's a whole different ball game. But I think it's fair and progressive of them." The steep fees and new rules are expected to force dozens of Vancouver outlets to close. Mayor Gregor Robertson and council spent four days in public hearings where nearly 200 speakers spoke out on the issue, the Vancouver Sun reported. The pot shops must apply for a development permit within 60 days or be considered illegal and open to enforcement. More than 30 shops are set up within 300 metres of schools, community centres and neighbourhood houses, which will disqualify them from applying, the newspaper said. Black Crow Herbals, Jaenicke's shop on Westgate Road in West Kelowna, is far from any school. The municipality has bylaws he had to follow, he said. His staff require clients to show valid ID and a doctor's prescription. They have to be at least 25 years old, and very few younger than that come into his stores. "I know a lot of people think these dispensaries are just a way for recreational pot users to get their pot without getting hassled, and I'm sure that's true in a lot of cases," he said. "That was happening in Vancouver. Our customers are by and large my age and older." Rona Ambrose, the federal health minister, was "deeply disappointed" by Vancouver council's decision to regulate "illegal marijuana storefronts." "Storefronts selling marijuana are illegal and under this Conservative government will remain illegal. We expect the police to enforce the law," she said in a statement. Vancouver Police Const. Brian Montague said the new regulations will not change the force's approach to pot shops, which are only a priority if there are public safety concerns. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled this month Canadians can possess and consume extracts and derivatives of marijuana. It's still illegal for licensed pot producers to produce edible forms of medical weed or give their patients recipes. Vancouver held firm on a ban of edible marijuana products, arguing the treats appeal to children, it is difficult to control their contents and patients can buy marijuana oil to make their own edibles. Jaenicke said Ambrose's reaction to the Vancouver decision is "typical," he said. "Just her whole attitude toward the whole medical-marijuana thing =C2=85 I haven't read one favourable comment about her or the Conservative government's approach." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt