Pubdate: Tue, 22 Sep 2015
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Emily Jackson
Page: 5

U.S. LAWYER PUSHES FOR POT REGULATIONS

It's definitely illegal for shops to sell marijuana in Canada, but a 
Washington State lawyer argues that shouldn't stop B.C. 
municipalities from creating rules to govern dispensaries.

Tonia Winchester, a Seattle-based lawyer and campaign organizer for 
the successful Washington State Initiative 502 to legalize marijuana, 
shared her experience passing cannabis laws south of the border at 
the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities conference on Monday.

"There is room for municipalities to take action, similar to what 
Vancouver has done, to create legislation to support what is 
happening in reality," Winchester told about 100 local delegates 
trying to figure out how to cope with the proliferation of pot shops.

Some expressed concerns that regulating pot shops could open cities 
up to legal prosecution or even arrest by the RCMP, especially since 
federal Conservative Health Minister Rona Ambrose has threatened 
action against pot shops. Salmon Arm Coun. Kevin Flynn noted that 
it's less intimidating for Vancouver since it has its own police 
force, not the RCMP.

But Winchester said the Department of Justice didn't act when Seattle 
introduced regulations for pot shops before marijuana was legalized statewide.

"People were concerned they'd be sued, any revenue would be seized by 
the feds, we were all going to be arrested.... We didn't see that," 
she said. Instead, the DOJ just let it play out.

The questions B.C. politicians are grappling with reminded Winchester 
of Washington's fight to regulate marijuana, which was not going 
anywhere despite federal prohibition.

Winchester argued against decriminalization, instead touting 
Washington's laws that regulate cannabis from "seed to sale." She 
said Washington has pulled in about $64 million in tax revenue from 
marijuana sales at 137 licensed stores from 250 licensed producers since 2012.

She also suggested Canada's national medical marijuana model, which 
requires production at licensed facilities and mail order sales, 
could be transformed for recreational use.

Her presentation followed B.C. lawyers, provincial health officer Dr. 
Perry Kendall and Vancouver Coun. Kerry Jang, who all spoke of the 
tension of managing the budding crop of marijuana retailers despite 
federal laws that prohibit sales.

Kendall presented recommendations for legalization with strict 
regulations, as proposed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental 
Health. This causes the least harm to society since it ensures a safe 
supply while restricting availability, he said, adding there is 
evidence of reduced harm to youth in legalized jurisdictions.

Jang outlined the City of Vancouver's process to grant a dispensary 
licence. There are more than 100 operating within city limits, but he 
expects only 15 to 20 will survive the regulatory process.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom