Pubdate: Mon, 17 Aug 2015
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Sean Trembath
Page: A1

CITY'S FIRST POT DISPENSARY TO OPEN TODAY

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, candies 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 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 Monday.

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

The 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