Pubdate: Wed, 16 Sep 2015
Source: Kimberley Daily Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015, Kimberley Daily Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.dailybulletin.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1427
Webpage: http://www.dailybulletin.ca/breaking_news/327704191.html
Author: Carolyn Grant

TWO MORE DISPENSARIES GET BUSINESS LICENSES

The market will decide whether medical marijuana businesses make it or
not, Council says

In two separate votes, Kimberley City Council granted business
licenses to two more medical marijuana businesses for Kimberley on
Monday evening. Each business will be allowed to dispense medical
cannabis products, but each with a limitation - there will be no
production allowed. The businesses must source their product from
growers elsewhere.

Council first heard an emotional plea from Chris and Lori Weitzel.
Chris is battling esophagal cancer. He was diagnosed with stage 4 over
a year ago and chose to go a different route than chemo and radiation.
After a lot of research, Chris opted for traditional Chinese
medicines, medical cannabis and a totally organic lifestyle. He also
travelled to Mexico for treatment.

Wife Lori told Council, that in the last five biopsies, there was no
cancer in the esophagus.

"I am walking, talking proof that this works," Chris
said.

The Weitzel's vision for their business, Earth's Own Naturals,
involves a lot more than medical cannabis.

"Cannabis is not a magic bullet. You have to incorporate it with other
things," he said. "I want to share what I have learned with people.
You don't have to be scared. There are alternatives. There are ways to
make it easier."

Chris says they would focus on the auto-immune side of medical
cannabis benefits, and would sell oils and smokables.

"I went to a lot of dispensaries in Vancouver, not all, but a lot, and
a lot of the stuff that's being sold is crap. We would sell product
that is as organic as possible, no chemical fertilizers used in
production. We have been in contact with commercial and medical
growers who will grow organically for us."

"We won't sell anything, Chris wouldn't take himself," Lori
said.

The Weitzels also said that they felt they would be complimentary to
the current dispensary, Tamarack.

"Tamarack focuses on pain, anxiety, sleep. We will focus on the auto
immune side."

As the matter came to a vote, Council was unanimous in granting the
business license. All councillors agreed it was just another business
for Kimberley, although they also all agreed to limit the license to
dispensing, not growing.

Council also granted a business license to DB Kimberley Botanicals,
with the same no-growing clause.

"I'm not closed to the idea of growing, but I don't think we're quite
there," said Coun. Nigel Kitto.

Mayor Don McCormick said that the federal government appeared to have
the goal of having a few large manufacturers rather than small growers.
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MAP posted-by: Matt