Pubdate: Mon, 17 Aug 2015
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact: http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Sean Trembath
Page: A4

SASKATOON POT DISPENSARY TO OPEN TODAY

Non-Profit Shop Expects Mass Influx

SASKATOON - Saskatoon's first medical marijuana dispensary is set to 
open its doors today.

"I'm certainly excited. It's been many months in the works to secure 
a site like this," Mark Hauk, head of the Saskatchewan Compassion 
Club, said Sunday.

The non-profit club that Hauk previously operated out of his home 
helps patients obtain marijuana prescriptions and, in some cases, 
sells them their medicine.

The new location is downtown on the 200 block of Second Avenue North. 
The entryway is sparse, with a reception desk and some seating.

All of the dried cannabis and other marijuana products on site are in 
a separate room only accessible by club members with prescriptions. 
Hauk said he keeps small amounts on site, locks everything in a 
fireproof safe overnight, and has security cameras and motion sensors 
around the location.

Products include oils, balms, can dies and tinctures. Some products 
contain no psychoactive ingredients but retain the cannabidiol 
chemical, which many patients say has therapeutic effects of medical 
marijuana without any of the "getting high" effects traditionally 
associated with the drug.

Prior to April 2014, some medical licence holders were allowed to 
grow marijuana for themselves and other medical users. Although the 
system has changed, there is an ongoing legal battle and a court 
injunction allowing those with the older licences to continue growing 
for now. All of the products at the Saskatoon location come from 
legal growers, according to Hauk, who also holds one of those licences.

A large portion of Hauk's business is assisting people who have been 
unable to attain a marijuana prescription in Saskatchewan. There is a 
space in the new location dedicated to facilitating online meetings 
with doctors from other provinces who are more willing to provide 
prescriptions.

There are no fees associated with membership or consultation. 
Patients will often have to pay a fee to the out-of-province doctors, 
and the product itself is sold at a set markup, but Hauk said all 
money goes to the club's expenses. What is left is used to help 
patients who are unable to afford fees or product, he said.

Hauk started the club after seeing how many people had trouble 
accessing marijuana in the current system.

"I've interacted with hundreds and hundreds in our community that are 
seeking marijuana prescriptions or already have them, and are seeking 
a place they can get their medicine in a safe, dignified manner," he said.

He said people in rural areas, even with all the proper 
documentation, sometimes wait two to three weeks for deliveries. Many 
of the Health Canada regulated distributors, which Hauk recommends 
for those who can afford it, also have minimum order sizes which can 
be financially burdensome for low-income patients.

Seeking regulation

Medical marijuana dispensaries have proliferated in many Canadian 
cities, such as Vancouver and Victoria, which have moved to licensing 
and regulating the businesses. On Monday, Hauk is scheduled to speak 
to the city's planning, development and community services committee 
to ask them to do the same here.

He cites a recent set of rules established in Vancouver as the type 
of regulation he wants here. Vancouver's rules favour non-profit 
compassion clubs over for-profit dispensaries. They prevent them from 
opening near schools or in other areas the city deems inappropriate.

City councillor Pat Lorje said it makes sense to establish rules 
before there is an influx of dispensaries.

"I think it's very sensible. I think regulation is the way to go," Lorje said.

Vancouver already had almost 100 dispensaries before any rules came 
in. The lack of regulation meant there was no oversight of who was 
operating them or their locations.

"That's exactly why I think regulation is necessary. Vancouver got 
itself into a bollocks because it didn't have regulation," Lorje said.

Hauk recommends using a vetting process that includes criminal record 
checks for anyone trying to open a dispensary.

Although he wants regulations put in place, Hauk did not want to wait 
to open his location, not knowing how long such a process would take.

"To be honest I would have opened the door three months ago if I had 
the spot. People are in need. Sick and dying people are suffering by 
the day, so it's important we do everything we can to help them," he said.

When asked if he was worried about police shutting down his 
operation, Hauk said he is optimistic, particularly given the 
opportunity to speak with the city today.

"We're hopeful we can take the right steps tomorrow morning," he said Sunday.

he doors are ready to open as soon as his time with the city committee is over.

"We'll play it by ear and take it as it comes. We're expecting a 
massive influx of patients," Hauk said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom