Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jun 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: Stefania Seccia
Page: 3

'WE'RE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR': SOCIETY

B.C. Compassion Club Society appealing to Vancouver councillors to not
force them to move due to new regulations

After considering shutting down their operations for good in light of
new regulations on medicinal marijuana dispensaries, the B.C.
Compassion Club Society is going to appeal to city councillors to stay
put.

Since 1997, the non-profit society has operated in East Vancouver-
dispensing medicinal marijuana and offering other holistic services.

A few years later, a public school opened across the street. Under
Vancouver's new regulations, the society must relocate.

The city ignored the society's call to be grandfathered, but society
spokesman Isaac Oommen said they will ask for an exception.

"The plan is basically, we are going to be advocating with the city to
try and stay - at the same time we're looking into possibly moving
locations," he said.

"The thing about moving is because of the price of rent here compared
to everywhere else, is a move might essentially mean a shutdown for us
after 18 years of operation and the oldest club in Canada, but we'll
see."

"We have letters of support from the school, we're a good neighbour,"
Oommen said. "We can start talking to councillors again, we weren't
allowed to during the hearings."

Jamie Shaw, spokeswoman for the society, echoed Oommen.

"After 18 years of responsibly serving our community and making
significant leasehold improvements in our present location, forcing us
to rip our roots and abandon our community, while competing for a new
location with other dispensaries and anyone who decides they now want
to be in this field, will likely represent an insurmountable
challenge," she said in a statement.

But Oommen stressed the society intends to push forward and continue
offering services.

Last Wednesday,Vancouver became the first city in Canada to regulate
medicinal marijuana dispensaries.

The new rules include that dispensaries must maintain a 300-metre
distance from community centres, schools and neighbourhood houses- and
to keep a distance from each other.

While for-profit medicinal marijuana shops must pay an annual $30,000
licence fee, there is also a "compassion club"- for a non-profit that
offers other services - for $1,000.

The regulations received a mixed reaction from advocates who, on one
hand, are glad there is now a set standard, but the steep fees and
location stipulations means many face shutting down or competing for
new locations.
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MAP posted-by: Matt